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July 12, 2003Plucinski is wearing the queen tiaraBY SARAH HENRYRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - When Kelly Plucinski, the new 2003-04 National Cherry Queen, was asked if she accepted her vows to support and promote the cherry industry she responded with an ecstatic "Yes, please!" Plucinski, 21, daughter of Gary and Karen Plucinski of Williamsburg, was crowned the festival's new queen at Friday night's coronation ball and dinner held at the Grand Traverse Resort. Plucinski attends Oakland University where she is studying theater performance, and succeeds outgoing National Cherry Queen Ashley Prusick. As National Cherry Queen, Plucinski will travel the country promoting the cherry industry. "I want to follow the legacy of Ashley Prusick and promote the health benefits of cherries, because I think a lot of people can be helped by this beneficial fruit," the newly crowned queen said. Though Plucinski may be on the ball with promoting cherries, she admitted she was a bundle of nerves - both before and after the long-awaited coronation. "I'm so excited, but I'm so nervous for these girls," she said prior to the announcement. Moments later, she said "I'm still shaking ... when they called my name, I almost passed out. I wanted to ask 'are you sure - is that a typo?' " First runner-up, Brandi McClain, 21, of Grayling said she wasn't disappointed with the results. "I am just so privileged and honored," McClain said. "Kelly was my roommate this week, and I know she will represent us all well." As first runner-up, McClain will receive a $1,500 scholarship. Plucinski receives an $8,000 scholarship, while the other three queen finalists receive $1,000 scholarships. So what was Plucinski's first royal duty? "I'm going to dance with my dad," she said.
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