Maple Queen

The 2012 WMSPA Maple Queen - Megan Staats

Megan Staats

On January 21, 2012 Wisconsin Maple Syrup Producer's Association chose their forty-first state maple queen. After two rounds of interviewing with maple related questions and observing the two contestants during the day, a panel of three judges made their selection.

Megan L. Staats of Sturgeon Bay became the new maple queen for 2012. She is a graduate of Carroll University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Graphic Design and took classes in Marketing, Computer Technology, Communications and Psychology.

Megan is the third generation in the Staats Sugar Bush and is looking forward to being our Wisconsin Maple Queen to "spread my knowledge and stories about maple syrup, because to me, it's more than just something you put on your pancakes."

To schedule Megan for a special event or open houses contact Maple Queen Coordinator Gretchen Grape at gretchen_grape@yahoo.com or phone 715-447-5758.

- Qualifications for being Maple Queen

What is the Maple Queen Program?

Each year, the Wisconsin Maple Syrup Producers Association chooses an individual to represent and promote Wisconsin maple syrup products. this yearlong position includes various promotional responsibilities as this individual serves as the statewide ambassador for this great Wisconsin commodity. Specific duties and responsibilites include:

20011 Wisconsin State Fair
Membership in the Association (expenses paid)
Presentations at Wisconsin schools
Annual Official 1st Tapping with Alice in Dairyland
Promotion of maple products at various events such as the fall tour, county fairs, and dairy breakfasts
Television interviews and appearances

The 2011 WMSPA Maple Queen - Allison Bauer

Allison Bauer

Allison Bauer was crowned 2011 Maple Queen at the Winter Institute held at the American Legion Hall in Neillsville in January 2011.

Ashley is from Mauston, Wisconsin.

To schedule Allison for a special event or open houses contact Maple Queen Coordinator Gretchen Grape at gretchen_grape@yahoo.com or phone 715-447-5758.

The 2009 &2010- WMSPA Maple Queen - Ashley Weissmann

Ashley Weissmann

Ashley Weissmann was crowned 2009 Maple Queen at the Winter Institute held at the American Legion Hall in Neillsville on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009.

Ashley is from Jefferson, Wisconsin.

The 2008 - No participants

The 2007 WMSPA Maple Queen - Holly Melander

Holly Melander

Holly Melander was crowned 2007 Maple Queen at the Hotel Mead in Wisconsin Rapids on Jan. 6, 2007, during the Wisconsin Maple Institute.

Holly lives in Merrill, Lincoln County, and is the daughter of Ray and Pam Melander. Her family purchased their sugar bush, Leafy Grove Maple, in 1997.

The 2006 WMSPA Maple Queen - Cynthia Voelz

Cynthia Voelz

Cynthia was crowned 2006 Maple Queen at the Hotel Mead in Wisconsin Rapids on Jan. 7, 2006.

Cynthia lives in Tilleda, Shawano County. Her family has been making maple syrup since the early 1900s, when her great-great-grandfather started cooking sap in an open pan in the woods. Since that time the tradition has become a family owned business in which she takes an active part.

In January of 2006, she hosted 36 Korean children through their church to visit the Voelz Sugar Bush in Tilleda. She performed the honors of the "First Tap" at Hedmark's Maple Ridge in Florence, WI. Then she oversaw the 25th Annual Maplesyrup Saturday at the Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve in Appleton. Cynthia traveled to Viroqua on March 25 @ Kickapoo Gold's pancake breakfast. In April she visited the Stockwells S&S Sugarbush. She attended the June Dairy Breakfasts in Scandinavia, Merrill, Arkansas, and Antigo. She also attended the Wisconsin State Fair and worked the WMSPA booth. She assisted in the maple syrup judging contest in Marshfield at the Fall Maple Festival. She represented the Association at NAMSC-IMSI in Green Bay as well as at the Winter Institute this past January. Thank you so much for your outstanding effort throughout the year as it was greatly appreciated!