An ISU student will be representing the American Beekeeping Federation at events across the country over the next year while she serves as the National Honey Princess.Regina Jager, freshman in animal ecology, was crowned National Honey Princess Jan. 15 against six contestants at the federation’s annual convention held in San Diego, Calif., said Troy Fore, executive director of the American Beekeeping Federation. The duties of the National Honey Princess include raising awareness of the beekeeping industry and educating young people about the benefits of bees.”I’ll start on nationwide events in August. Up until then I’ll be active in Iowa,” Jager said. She said educating children will be a highlight of her upcoming year of events.”Kids come away from a bee program with an idea that bees don’t just sting. We change a negative idea to a positive one,” Jager said. She said she is anticipating the travel involved in serving as princess. “I consider the traveling a plus. I will get an inside look at beekeeping in other states,” Jager said. Last year’s National Honey Princess and Queen visited a total of 20 states. The bee royalty attended a variety of bee festivals, county and state fairs and schools.Until a couple of years ago, Jager had no experience with beekeeping. She said her 4-H leader, Joan Boer, encouraged her to become involved in the Honey Queen Program.”Joan was my mentor and gave me my first hives,” Jager said. Boer said Iowa hasn’t sent a delegate to the contest in many years, and she was proud Jager won the title of princess. “Regina did it on her own,” Boer said. “She is a long-time 4-H-er and was able to tell the judges exactly what she knew about the honey and beekeeping.” Jager’s local beekeeping club and honey producers across the state helped her learn more about the craft. “I didn’t know anything, but they [local beekeepers] were willing to teach me. Beekeepers love to have young people involved,” she said. Iowa producers sponsored Jager to go to the American Honey Queen contest, she said. The six queen contestants participated in a variety of competitions at the contest held in San Diego.”We began with a honey queen quiz bowl to test our knowledge of beekeeping and see our personality,” she said. A marketing presentation and interview were also part of the contest. “They deal with different scenarios in real world situations as if they are out promoting honey,” Fore said. “You have to know a lot about beekeeping and honey and give a good presentation.”Jager was awarded the title of National Honey Princess and she will receive a scholarship after her year of service is completed. Jager will apply the scholarship to her study of animal ecology.”I would like to be a naturalist. As a naturalist, I would stay involved in the beekeeping industry,” Jager said. “It’s a very addictive hobby, and you work with a great group of people.”