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She got lessons in time management, pageant life and being in the public eye. She also found out about being a local celebrity.

"I learned about representing the community as a whole," she said. "It's a lot of responsibility."

Israel will take those lessons with her after turning in her crown - she gets to keep a "pretty good-sized tiara" - Saturday during the Miss Elk Rapids Scholarship pageant. Eight girls will take to the stage at 7 p.m. in Peterman Auditorium, just as Israel did about a year ago. She shared memories of her year as Miss Elk Rapids and offered advice to this yearÕs contestants.

A few weeks after winning the pageant, Israel made her first appearance as Elk RapidsÕ royalty. Her schedule was pretty slow until the summer, which was very busy, she said. In all she appeared in about 10 parades, she said. '

"But they prepared me well," she said. "I knew what to expect."

Among her best memories of that time was appearing in the National Cherry FestivalÕs Cherry Royale Parade.

That event was the biggest parade she participated in, she said. After it was over, a little girl came up to her in that Miss Elk Rapids 2004 Stephanie Paulosky had made it to the top five in the Cherry Queen pageant.

"That was almost as rewarding as Harbor Days," she said.

Before the Miss Elk Rapids pageant, Israel hadnÕt taken to the stage in that way before. She said she had been dancing since she was about three years old and didnÕt mind speaking in public. Still, the contest was unlike those venues.

For her, it was nerve-wracking, she said.

"I had never done a pageant before, it was different - good different though," she said.

She is looking forward to seeing the girls Ñ all of whom she knows Ñ take the stage and wished them luck.

"I'm really excited to come home and see who will carry on the tradition," she said. '

She offered the would-be Miss Elk RapidsÕ some advice: "I guess the really important thing, and it sounds lame, just be yourself."

She explained that the judges pick the winner for who they are on the stage. The community, however, will see the winnerÕs personality for the rest of the year. If a contestantÕs event-night persona isnÕt the same as her real personality, sheÕd have to keep up the act all year.

"Just enjoy it otherwise the year will be more stress than enjoyment," she said.

Being Miss Elk Rapids was "definitely all its cracked up to be and more," Israel said. Any girl - pageant-type or not - should give it a try, she said.

And speaking of pageant-types, she said that during her year as Miss Elk Rapids, she fought the stereotype that comes with the job.

She took an alternative spring break, a trip where she volunteered for a week in Georgia, she said. One of the girls who reviewed her application had immediately judged her, she said. The girl told Israel that she thought sheÕd be rude, snobby and just interested in the trip as a resume-builder just because she was involved in a pageant.

By the end of the trip, her perception was different.

"She said I completely changed her mind about pageants," Israel said. Giving up the crown is bittersweet for her, but she does get to keep her sash, a tiara, a lot of dresses and her memories.

"It was an honor and well worth it É It was an awesome experience, and I wouldnÕt trade it for anything," she said.