By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Alyson Wendzel will spend the next year promoting an industry that is part of her family’s heritage.

Wendzel, a fourth-generation apple grower from Watervliet, was crowned the 2011 Michigan Apple Queen during the 60th annual pageant Dec. 7 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids. The pageant was held at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo.

Five ladies participated in the contest. Judging was based on beauty, personality, apple knowledge, poise and stage presence. Melissa Stamp, the 2002 Michigan Apple Queen, emceed the evening’s pageant.

“The Michigan Apple Queen will have a busy and fun year,” she said. The title comes with the responsibility of making several promotional appearances, including parades, farm market visits and appearances at other events aimed at promoting the state’s apple industry.

Wendzel said she “is really excited to represent Michigan apples and promote the industry.” The 17-year-old Watervliet High School senior is the daughter of Joyce and Brad Wendzel. She plans to pursue a college degree in music education.

Her family owns and operates Grandview Orchards, which is associated with Greg Orchards and Produce and Coloma Frozen Foods.

During the pageant, each contestant was asked to explain the homegrown qualities they possess that will contribute to their success as this year’s apple queen.

“I’m down-to-earth and I’m really approachable,” Wendzel said. “I hope that encourages people to talk with me. I can tell them what I enjoy about Michigan apples –  it’s something that I really love and it is close to my heart.”
Diagnosed with diabetes as a child, Wendzel said family ties are important to her. Each year, she and her family participate in the Juvenile Diabetes Walk. To date, they have raised more than $75,000 for juvenile diabetes research.
Hillary Heeren, 22, of Rockford was crowned first runner-up during the pageant. She will accompany Wendzel to parades and events. She is the daughter of Brian and Linda Heeren.

Heeren is studying law at Michigan State University and is interested in addressing some challenges apple growers face, such as food safety and health care reform. The daughter of fourth-generation apple growers, Heeren said “a strong work ethic” is one of the biggest homegrown qualities she has learned.
The ladies were crowned by 2010 Michigan Apple Queen Kirstin Miller, of Vassar; 2010 First Runner-Up Katie Rasch, of Conklin; and 2010 Second Runner-Up Amanda Geldersma, of Belding.

“I have had a truly wonderful year. Representing this industry has been everything that I had hoped for,” Miller said during a presentation in which she recapped the highlights of her year as queen. “I will continue promoting the industry for the rest of my life.”

Miller thanked various industry members and her family for their support. “Being the 2010 Michigan Apple Queen has been an honor and a pleasure. I am so grateful for this opportunity,” she said. “I was born into a great apple tradition and for that I am truly grateful.”

For their accomplishments, Wendzel received a $1,500 college scholarship and Heeren received a $500 scholarship from the Michigan Apple Committee, which were presented by Al Dietrich of the committee.

Other contestants included Emily Berry, 22, of Ottawa Lake; Jennifer Kalchik, 19, of Northport; and Hannah Pagel, 18, of Berrien Springs.