06/08/2026
Meet Katelyn Brown! ✨
One of five candidates running for National Asparagus Queen!
Katelyn was born and raised in Shelby, Michigan and graduated from Shelby High School in 2018. While in Shelby, she worked at the Pizza Factory and participated in Quiz Bowl, Science Olympiad, and the Oceana County Community Foundation Youth AdvisoryCouncil. She was named the Outstanding Graduate in Biology at Ferris State University, earning her Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology in 2022. She is currently a PhD candidate in Medicinal Chemistry the University of Michigan, studying how to transform a toxin found in bacteria in the water into useful drugs. She plans to return to West Michigan to teach Biochemistry at the college level after completing her doctoral degree in 2027.
Katelyn is active in science outreach, introducing young students to the marvelous world around them. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, winning at trivia, painting, and telling everyone how great asparagus is.
Katelyn describes herself as Resilient, Curious, Kind. Katelyn shared that her hobbies include doing crafts, winning at trivia, playing the bass, going for walks in the woods, fishing, and reading.
Katelyn shared that her family has a long history of cooking with and enjoying Oceana County asparagus, but otherwise, no history in the asparagus
industry.
When asked what would make her a good representative of the national asparagus festival and the Oceana county, asparagus industry, Katelyn replied, “I am comfortable with public speaking, I've spent my life connecting with and serving the people in Oceana County, and I am well-equipped to advocate for the people in the asparagus industry”. Katelyn continued my stating, “I've always loved public speaking, and would thrive while publicly representing the asparagus industry. I hosted the talent shows and pep rallies at SHS while I was a student there, and now give public seminars on my PhD thesis research often. I know and love the people of Oceana County. I'm a third-generation graduate of Shelby High School and made connections with people at my grandmas' businesses (Pizza Factory and Grand View Golf Course), and continue to meet people and make connections through my Mother-in-Law's position in the Hart Rotary. For 7 years, I made and served asparagus soup at my grandma's restaurant. I served the community as a member of the Oceana County Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council and funded community organization's grant requests. I am ready and willing to advocate for asparagus farmers, packers, and distributers. I have spent my entire adult life learning how to do in-depth research, craft effective arguments, and communicate niche ideas to a broader audience. I will use these skills to interface with the Michigan legislature on issues that impact people in the asparagus industry, to educate the general public on the health benefits of asparagus, and to promote the National Asparagus Foundation”.
When asked what she plans to do with the $1,000 scholarship/charitable organization award, Katelyn shared “I will donate the $1000 award to the Steve Boutell Memorial Scholarship Fund through the Oceana County Community Foundation. I was honored to receive this scholarship when I graduated from high school, and I would like to pay it forward”.
Katelyn’s favorite way to eat asparagus is to roast the asparagus in the oven with olive oil, salt, and pepper and then cover in a lemony hollandaise sauce.
