By Staff
GRAND RAPIDS - Paula Fisher was crowned the 2005 Michigan Apple Queen last week at the annual pageant at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel.
The pageant is held as a part of the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo each year.
Fisher, 20, is the granddaughter, daughter and niece of Berrien Springs apple growers.
She is a student at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, where she is pursuing a degree in horticulture.
First- and second- runners-up are Dowagiac graduate Emily Westendorp and Ashley Wright of Belding, respectively.
Westendorp attends Valparaiso University in Indiana and Wright is a high school senior.
The 2004 Michigan Apple Queen, Amanda Schweitzer, ended her reign at the pageant by giving a presentation recapping her eventful year as queen and crowning Fisher.
The pageant is presented by the Michigan Apple Committee and staed by the Michigan State Horticultural Society Women's Auxiliary.
Candidates for Michigan Apple Queen must be between the ages of 17 and 23, and must have a link to the industry.
Contestants are judged on a number of features, including poise, professionalism and knowledge of the apple industry.
The Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded, non-profit organization devoted to promotion, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple and encourage its consumption by consumers in Michigan and around the world.