Oct 6, 2014

Apply now to be the next Michigan Apple Queen

Women ages 17 to 23 with a strong and definite connection to the Michigan apple industry are encouraged to apply for the 2015 Michigan Apple Queen title, according to the Michigan Apple Committee (MAC).

The application deadline is Friday, Oct. 17. The new queen will be crowned at noon on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the Michigan Apple Growers Luncheon during the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Interested candidates can obtain an application here.

The Michigan Apple Queen represents the Michigan apple industry for one year and must be the daughter, sister, niece or granddaughter of a Michigan apple producer. Applicants must be 17 years of age by Dec. 31, 2014, and not over 23 years of age by the same date. The women interested in applying must have strong knowledge of the Michigan apple industry, be outgoing, personable and available to make public appearances throughout the year. The Michigan Apple Queen will attend various events, parades and festivals, as well as traveling to schools educating students about apples.

Contestants compete in an onstage question and answer, along with a one-on-one personal interview. Applicants will be judged on their poise, beauty, apple knowledge, public speaking ability and essay response, according to MAC.

In 2013, MAC and the Michigan State Horticultural Society increased the scholarship amounts for the queen and her court. The queen will receive a $5,000 scholarship, and the first runner-up will receive $2,500. The hort society will also contribute a $1,000 scholarship to both the queen and first runner-up.