Grand Valley State University has a new queen on campus, and she is Miss Michigan bound.

GVSU crowned its second Miss Grand Valley, Krystal Wilson, on Nov. 13. Wilson, 19, is from Coopersville, Mich., and is an art education major.

But Miss Grand Valley is not Wilson’s first title — she also won Miss Coopersville for 2009-10. She said she enjoyed representing the town, and running for Miss Grand Valley seemed to be the next step.

“I thought, ‘You know what, I’m just gonna try for it!’ I love Grand Valley — why not represent another place I love?” she said.

According to the Miss Grand Valley State University Facebook page, their mission is “to enhance the lives and education of young women, ages 18-24 who are currently enrolled or are recent alumni of Grand Valley State University.”

As this year’s winner, Wilson received an $800 scholarship and a $500 wardrobe allowance to help her prepare for the Miss Michigan contest in June. The rest of the top five each earned $100 scholarships.

Wilson said she was surprised and thrilled about winning the title.

“I’m super excited because I didn’t expect to get that far, but I’m ready to be someone fresh to the pageant world,” she said.

Some of the duties as Miss Grand Valley include running for Miss Michigan and putting the winning platform into action. Wilson said she is keeping up her physical and mental health along with working on her talent.

“For Miss Michigan, beyond training at the recreation center seven days a week physically, I will also be creating an all-new form of art to be presented on the stage of the Franthenthaul Theater,” she said. “It will be like nothing you have ever seen!”

Wilson added she has a big surprise for the Miss Michigan competition that will help a local charity, which she hopes makes a statement.

“My goal isn’t necessarily to win the title, of course I would love that, but I can’t expect that,” she said. “My goal is to be known.”

Last year’s Miss Grand Valley, Morgan Lind, shared advice for Wilson.

“Take every opportunity presented to you and write down the important memories and words of encouragement that you experience during your year,” she said. “Set a goal and do the best you can to achieve it.”

Wilson said it was awesome winning the pageant, but her platform was on her mind.

“The first thing I thought was ‘what’s the next step … I can’t wait to implement my platform. I can’t wait to get the other people involved,’” she said. “For me it wasn’t about winning the title but what I was going to do with it.”

Her platform is based on Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace Plan. She wants to help college students and adults get back on track with their finances through workshops and go to elementary schools to teach young children financial responsibility.

“I have control over my money — it doesn’t have control over me,” Wilson said. “So that’s what I’m going to be doing over the next year, getting others on the ‘Dave Ramsey Train,’ so to speak.”

Wilson said she wants to remain humble in spite of her accomplishments.

“There were 14 of us, and I wasn’t doing this to say that I’m better than these girls because I don’t think I am,” she said. “I just want them to know that they all were amazing and they each brought something special to the plate.”

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