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CHASSELL - The best advice Helen Richards ever got came from her basketball coach at Houghton High School, Julie Filpus: "Give 100 percent effort, 100 percent of the time."

"She was being specific to basketball, but it really has to do with all-around life," Richards said. "If you give your best effort, you won't be disappointed with the outcome."

Richards translated those words into action Friday night, winning the Strawberry Queen competition during the opening night of the Strawberry Festival in Chassell.

"It was pretty good," she said. "I didn't think I'd win, actually."

Contestants were scored based on a one-on-one interview with judges, as well as a question-and-answer session in front of the crowd Friday night.

The question about the best piece of advice wasn't revealed to Richards until the moment she heard it in front of a crowd.

But she had time to prepare for her other one: what she missed the most about childhood.

That, as it turns out, would be the Friday morning breakfasts she'd have with her dad at Marie's Deli (now Victoria's Kitchen).

"I'd always get a poppyseed muffin and a glass of apple juice," she said.

Thursday night, Richards joined the other Queen candidates and community members in preparing strawberries for the festival.

"We got 50 of those five-gallon buckets filled," she said. "My hands turned red."

Richards enjoyed the whole pageant experience.

"The girls were probably my favorite part," she said. "It was really nice. We had a lot of fun."

Afterwards, Richards posed for pictures with her fellow Queen candidates and snapshots with her family, including her mother, Carrie Richards.

"Very exciting," she said. "So surprised."

First runner-up was Vanessa Rae Vencato of Hancock, followed by Erika Danielson of Chassell and Amber Harris of Chassell. Caitlin Bowers of L'Anse won Most Photogenic.

Queen candidates were Alaina Latvis of Chassell, Rachel Antioho of Chassell, Nicole Clement of Chassell, Amanda Crane of Chassell, Hannah Jukuri of Chassell, Janelle Karvakko of Chassell, Lacey Lane of L'Anse, Jordanna Kero of Hancock and Erina Sullivan of Laurium.

The Strawberry Festival continues today.

Garrett Neese can be reached at gneese@mininggazette.com