Unlike queens who inherit their titles, Michelle VanderVoord had to earn her crown.
As a candidate for Oakland County Fair Queen, she prepared applications, wrote essays, gave a speech, and shared her views in a live interview with Mrs. Michigan, Miss Michigan, and fair officials, asking questions such as favorite politician (state Rep. John Stakoe), favorite Disney character (Piglet), and greatest weakness and strength.
‘I said my greatest weakness was also my greatest strength,? VanderVoord said. ‘I’m too trusting ? sometimes I get let down.?
Her duties as Oakland County Fair Queen include parades throughout the year, school-group tours at the fair, and outreach programs.
‘Anything the fair board wants me to do,? she said. ‘It’s been a lot of work, but it’s a nice culmination of a lifetime of community service.?
She plans to spread awareness of 4H programs throughout the county, she said.
VanderVoord has been with 4H for 11 years, including 4H SCRUBS, Students Committed to Research and Understanding of Biological Science, and Veterinary Science Club.
She was very busy at the fair, preparing about 20 projects for exhibit in science, sewing, cooking, gardening, and other topics.
‘Tons of activities,? she said.
She spent much of Friday preparing for the livestock auction, at which she was to sell poultry and other birds she raised for market. As County Fair Queen, she helped make announcements and pass out prizes.
‘It’s fun, I really like it,? VanderVoord said.
She lives in Springfield Township with parents Sue and Fred VanderVoord, and brothers Gregory and Steven VanderVoord. She graduated this year from Clarkston Community Schools? OSMTech program.
She plans to attend University of Michigan-Flint on a full-ride scholarship she earned for academics, to study nursing.
In her speech at the fair, she described how 4-H and other youth programs helped her decide on a career.
‘In the Veterinary Science Club, we learned a lot about the body ? it was very interesting,? she said.
Their club mentor, Dr. Elizabeth McGee, a veterinarian, taught them using dissection of farm animals and pets that died of natural causes or had to be euthanized.
Michelle also volunteered in several departments at St. Joseph Memorial Hospital.
‘I’d like to work in pediatrics ? I love working with kids,? she said.