BY LAURA WRIGHT
TRAVERSE CITY -- The 83rd National Cherry Festival is in its final days. But the festivities are far from over for one young woman.
She'll spend the next year as queen of the National Cherry Festival, busied, like current queen Megan Umulis, at myriad Cherry Festival events.
Tonight, one of the four finalists will be crowned 2009-2010 National Cherry Festival Queen.
"We've definitely been able to experience this Cherry Festival like no one else has," said queen hopeful Franki Price, of Elk Rapids.
Price, a journalism student at Michigan State University, said her favorite festival memory is viewing the air show with her dad and bonding as a family.
"I've had a lot of influence from past cherry queens," Price said. "It would be an incredible honor to be placed among them as cherry queen."
In May, 16 girls attended selection weekend at the Great Wolf Lodge. The contestants then were narrowed to four finalists.
"I'm happy to be here, I'm excited," said finalist Samantha Dunn, of Gaylord. "This is an honor and a privilege."
Dunn is seeking a communications degree from Michigan State University, and hopes to be a motivational speaker and television anchor when she graduates.
"This has to top it all," said Dunn of her Cherry Festival memories. "Being able to go to the different events that we wouldn't normally get to go to."
Anonymous judges watched the finalists at festival events. Officials said they want a person who's ready to become National Cherry Queen and who's prepared to be a spokeswoman for the festival and cherry industry.
"Royalty," said Stephanie Paulosky, of Williamsburg. "We've been treated so incredibly well. I've never been to so many events in one year."
A 2008 graduate of Aquinas College, Paulosky now attends the Douglas J. Aveda Institute in Grand Rapids.
If chosen as queen, Paulosky expects the next year to be busy, fun and crazy.
"I'm looking forward to meeting people, connecting with and learning from people and growing within myself," she said.
Finalists will receive a scholarship to the college or university of her choice. The winner will spend the next year at festivals, food shows and other events across the country.
"My new favorite Cherry Festival memory is going to the horticulture center," said finalist Angela Sayler, of Williamsburg. "They were so gracious and so excited to have us there."
Sayler graduated from Grand Valley State University in 2007 with a degree in hospitality and tourism management. She currently works on her family's cherry farm.
If chosen, Sayler looks forward to "traveling around, representing the cherry industry, which I've absolutely grown to love."
The Queen's Coronation will take place tonight at the City Opera House, and will begin with a live auction at 7 p.m. and continue with the royale program at 8 p.m.
