Life busy for 2008 Tulip Queen
By Duane Beeson Journal correspondent | Posted: Wednesday, November 28, 2007
ORANGE CITY, Iowa -- Katie Buntsma participates in speech at MOC-Floyd Valley High School, plays violin in the orchestra, sings soprano in the choir and swing choir, acts in theater productions, competes in quiz bowl and plays bassoon in the symphonic band. But her life just got busier.
Buntsma, 18, was named Orange City's 2008 tulip queen at the recent queen's pageant. She will reign over the town's 68th annual festival May 15-17. And months before that, she will have a full schedule with queen's court members Paige Blythe, Julia Haverdink, Olivia Wielenga and Jenna Woudstra, promoting the festival in many area communities.
"I'm really excited to give back to the community because they've blessed me so much," says the daughter of John and Cheryl Buntsma. "I'm looking forward to getting to know the other girls on the court. It's going to be a blast."
Buntsma may be an especially appropriate tulip queen. Her father was born in the Netherlands and speaks Dutch fluently. He's the one who amuses Tulip Festival parade crowds by walking along the route acting like a fish seller trying to hawk his latest catch with a Dutch sales pitch.
"He told me he's saying in Dutch that he has 17 kids, they're all starving and he needs to sell fish so they can have food in their bellies for once," explains Katie Buntsma, an only child who confesses her sole Dutch language experience was a one-time ability to count to 10.
An Orange City native, the new queen says she has always wanted to be on the court.
"I've always looked up to those girls. It looked like fun," says Buntsma, who turned down the opportunity to serve as a page in the Iowa Senate this year so she could be on the tulip court.
Buntsma's previous Tulip Festival involvement has included acting in three night shows, "Hello Dolly," "State Fair" and "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers;" marching in the Pride of the Dutchmen Band and riding on floats, scrubbing streets and participating in Dutch dancing as a child.
"My favorite part of the Tulip Festival is the night show. I love being part of that doing something I love that also brings people enjoyment," says Buntsma. "I also like marching and eating 'poffertjes.' " The "poffertjes" are a traditional Dutch treat that's a popular seller at Tulip Festival. They look like,small pancakes and are served hot, topped with butter and powdered sugar.
{M3 At last week's pageant, Buntsma's special interest presentation was singing Eva Cassidy's bluesy version of "Over the Rainbow" from the "Wizard of Oz."
She plans to attend either Seattle Pacific University or Bethel University in the Twin Cities next fall, majoring in child psychology to prepare for a career working with emotionally abused children.
Before she leaves for college, though, Buntsma will have several busy months spreading the word about the Orange City Tulip Festival.
"It's always a really great time; there are so many great things to do," she says. "It's a chance to show off our Dutch heritage and get so many people from the community involved."
Buntsma, 18, was named Orange City's 2008 tulip queen at the recent queen's pageant. She will reign over the town's 68th annual festival May 15-17. And months before that, she will have a full schedule with queen's court members Paige Blythe, Julia Haverdink, Olivia Wielenga and Jenna Woudstra, promoting the festival in many area communities.
"I'm really excited to give back to the community because they've blessed me so much," says the daughter of John and Cheryl Buntsma. "I'm looking forward to getting to know the other girls on the court. It's going to be a blast."
Buntsma may be an especially appropriate tulip queen. Her father was born in the Netherlands and speaks Dutch fluently. He's the one who amuses Tulip Festival parade crowds by walking along the route acting like a fish seller trying to hawk his latest catch with a Dutch sales pitch.
"He told me he's saying in Dutch that he has 17 kids, they're all starving and he needs to sell fish so they can have food in their bellies for once," explains Katie Buntsma, an only child who confesses her sole Dutch language experience was a one-time ability to count to 10.
An Orange City native, the new queen says she has always wanted to be on the court.
"I've always looked up to those girls. It looked like fun," says Buntsma, who turned down the opportunity to serve as a page in the Iowa Senate this year so she could be on the tulip court.
Buntsma's previous Tulip Festival involvement has included acting in three night shows, "Hello Dolly," "State Fair" and "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers;" marching in the Pride of the Dutchmen Band and riding on floats, scrubbing streets and participating in Dutch dancing as a child.
"My favorite part of the Tulip Festival is the night show. I love being part of that doing something I love that also brings people enjoyment," says Buntsma. "I also like marching and eating 'poffertjes.' " The "poffertjes" are a traditional Dutch treat that's a popular seller at Tulip Festival. They look like,small pancakes and are served hot, topped with butter and powdered sugar.
{M3 At last week's pageant, Buntsma's special interest presentation was singing Eva Cassidy's bluesy version of "Over the Rainbow" from the "Wizard of Oz."
She plans to attend either Seattle Pacific University or Bethel University in the Twin Cities next fall, majoring in child psychology to prepare for a career working with emotionally abused children.
Before she leaves for college, though, Buntsma will have several busy months spreading the word about the Orange City Tulip Festival.
"It's always a really great time; there are so many great things to do," she says. "It's a chance to show off our Dutch heritage and get so many people from the community involved."
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