FOR
IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Contact: Diane Smith
Nov.
23,
2010
(800) 456-2753
(Photos of contestants available upon request.)
Five vie to be 60th Michigan Apple
Queen
Winner to represent
industry at parades, schools and more
(Grand Rapids, Mich.) – The young lady selected to be the 2011 Michigan Apple Queen will hold an extra special place in Michigan Apple history: She will be the 60th queen crowned in the statewide competition.
“This year’s pageant will mark 60 years of a great Michigan Apple industry tradition – selecting a queen who provides firsthand knowledge to the public about what it’s like growing up in the apple business,” said Denise Donohue, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee - sponsor of the pageant.
The pageant will take place Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. in the Ambassador Ballroom of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. It is open to the public.
Contestants must be between the ages of 17 and 23 and have a connection to the Michigan Apple industry. The winner will be selected by a panel who will judge participants on several criteria including a one-on-one interview, apple knowledge and public speaking ability.
The 2011 Michigan Apple Queen will serve as an ambassador on behalf of the industry, and makes numerous public appearances throughout the year at various festivals, parades, schools and events.
Competing for the title are:
- Emily Berry, 22, of Ottawa Lake. The daughter of Jane and Glen Berry, Emily attends Lourdes College in Sylvania, Ohio where she is pursuing a degree in early childhood education. She is the granddaughter of apple growers.
- Hillary Heeren, 22, of Rockford. The daughter of Brian and Linda Heeren, Hillary attends Ferris State University where she is pursuing a degree in Health Care Systems Administration with a minor in Communication. She is the daughter of fourth-generation apple growers, packers and shippers.
- Jennifer L. Kalchik, 19, of Northport. The daughter of Steven and Kathy Kalchik, Jennifer attends Aquinas College where she is pursuing a degree in business and communications. She is the daughter of third-generation apple growers.
- Hannah Pagel, 18, of Berrien Springs. The daughter of Dave and Sue Pagel, Hannah attends Calvin College where she is pursuing a degree in physics with a minor in astronomy. She is the daughter of a fourth-generation apple grower.
- Alyson Wendzel, 17, of Watervliet. The daughter of Brad and Joyce Wendzel, Alyson attends Watervliet High School and plans to eventually pursue a college degree in music education. She is a fourth-generation apple grower.
Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded nonprofit organization devoted to promotion, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption in Michigan and around the world.
For more information, visit MichiganApples.com.
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(800) 456-2753 MichiganApples.com 13750 S. Sedona Parkway, Ste. 3, Lansing, MI 48906