Some pageants aren’t just for beauty queens - one MSU student won her crown because of her commitment to beans.
Selected out of 17 applicants, Crystal Smalley, an agriculture and natural resources communication junior, was crowned Michigan Bean Queen on Sept. 1 in Fairgrove.
“Ever since I was a little girl, I would see older girls crowned the Bean Queen within our county, and it kind of became a dream for me,” Smalley said.
The pageant selects a queen and a runner-up to represent the bean industry at events throughout the state, including parades and festivals, Smalley said.
The Bean Queen is chosen based on poise, personality, interview skills and knowledge of the bean industry - something Smalley had no problem with.
“I grew up on a farm that grows beans and I feel great to be able to represent a commodity that had such an impact on my life,” she said.
“Agriculture has such strong roots in my family, and I know my parents are so proud of me to represent it.”
In addition to her crown, Smalley earned a scholarship and a stipend for attending each of her scheduled events.
While Smalley was thrilled to win, she said she doesn’t plan to pursue any other pageants.
“I didn’t do this to win a pageant - I did it because of what the pageant actually stands for,” she said. “I am looking forward to being a role model to other little girls as this was for me.”
Smalley previously held the title of Huron County Bean Queen. By becoming the Michigan Bean Queen, she earned another year to represent the industry, and the people behind it.
The runner-up for the Bean Queen title is no stranger to Smalley.
“I don’t think of this as a competition,” said Megan Ruthko, Michigan Bean Queen runner-up and one of Smalley’s best friends. “Crystal and I even rode together to the competition - and when I was the runner-up, I was so happy Crystal won first place.”
Both Ruthko, a Saginaw Valley State University junior, and Smalley grew up together in Ubly, Mich. Ruthko is the 2001 Huron County Bean Queen - a title Smalley herself passed down.
“As her runner-up, I pretty much do everything she does,” Ruthko said. “And that makes it a lot more fun.”
Kathy Childs, a past officer of the Michigan Bean Queen Contest, said this “is not just a beauty pageant.”
Previously, only daughters of farmers could enter, but the contest was opened up three years ago to any female, 18-25 years old.
“This is a young lady who could represent the dry bean industry along with the farm industry,” Childs said. “All of the candidates were very well qualified this year, and I know it was a very hard decision to make.”
