2025 Derby Royalty
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Derby Queen
Ava Hamblen
My name is Ava Hamblen, and I am a junior at Northland Pines High School. I love helping others and pushing myself at everything I do. In the past, I've spent my time volunteering for my local Bo-Boen snowmobile club and helping at snowmobile conferences. Running is a hobby of mine. I am on the track team at school and love cheering on my teammates. This winter I am managing the girl's varsity hockey team, and other things I have participated in are basketball and the school musical. I love going snowmobiling with my family and friends anytime I can, and have been doing so for years. I was first introduced to the world of snowmobiling by my dad who has been snowmobiling his whole life. He would always tell my family stories about how he and his friends would go to a small town in Wisconsin and watch the races at the snowmobile capital of the world. He is someone who has inspired me to be where and who I am today. I was a 2024 Derby princess last year and it was a great experience even without the weather we wanted. I‘m fortunate to say that my parents are very involved with the snowmobile community, as the owners of Arrowhead Groomers. So I enjoy going with them to conferences and shows to see how everything works and meet the people who make this sport possible. Another way I have done this is by becoming a member of the group K.A.O.S. (Kids and Adults On Sleds), and have been the representative for Vilas County through this great organization. They really make a difference in the community and are very active and involved in everything snowmobiling.
Derby Princess
Emma Petreikis
I am a Senior at Northland Pines High School. Growing up here in Eagle River, riding snowmobiles has been a huge and impactful part of my life. Throughout each winter, I've enjoyed riding on the back of my dad's snowmobile, and even by myself after getting my license at the age of 12. In 2018, my family bought the snowmobile dealership named Track Side, and it has only grown my love for snowmobiles. I've been contributing to the environment and community there since we bought it and our business has only expanded since then to two other locations. I've gone to the derby ever since I was little, and I've helped with the booths, worked, and even advertised the derby at Track Side. I look forward to the derby every year and love meeting the new people and seeing the new events that take place.
I enjoy helping people out in any way possible. I have well over 100 volunteer hours at my school participating in many events, including bell ringing for the Salvation Army, raising money for a military support group, and many more. I am a Senior Advisor in AMMP at my school which is a club that helps build relationships and support middle schoolers throughout their school career. I take dance classes, have three jobs, and run my own business.
Derby Princess
Alex Gensch
My name is Alex Gensch, and I am a 16-year-old junior at Northland Pines School of Options and Applied Research High School (SOAR). From a young age, I have aspired to be part of the derby royalty. My involvement in the derby began at the age of five when I was invited to participate in a commercial promoting the event. Since then, I have volunteered for various organizations associated with the derby, and I continue to enjoy the races whenever I am not working.
In addition to my derby volunteering, I actively contribute to my community. While attending SOAR Middle School, I completed over 100 hours of community service in seventh grade. I have had the opportunity to collaborate with organizations of all sizes, including churches, schools, the Sno Eagles, and FORK. Notably, I traveled to North Carolina with my church to assist individuals in need of home repairs for two weeks. My volunteer work has also included participating in public safety training, where I acted as a patient during an active shooter training, assisted Wisconsin EMTs in mock scenarios, and portrayed a victim in a simulated car crash for my school’s Flight for Life exercise. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, I volunteered with FORK and local churches to distribute food boxes to those in need, which was particularly crucial during a time when many people were unable to volunteer. Growing up in a service-oriented family, with a father who served in the Gulf War, a grandmother who promoted tourism in Vilas County, and a mother in a public safety role, I developed a strong passion for serving others.
Alongside my dedication to volunteering, I engage in several activities that I enjoy, including horseback riding, figure skating, snowmobiling, and snowboarding.