Joyce Dahlgren is pictured with Lauren Cotter, Reese Beaver and Madilyn McIntyre. Beaver was named the 2023 Miss Busti while Dahlgren helped plan the original Miss Busti contest.

Joyce Dahlgren, a 61-year member of the Bust Fire Department Auxiliary, has been involved in both the fire department and the Miss Busti Queen contest for a long time.

A 1955 graduate of Southwestern Central School, Dahlgren began volunteering with the auxiliary in 1956. She then had to leave for a few years and rejoined in 1961.

Dahlgren — who has two sons, two granddaughters and three great grandchildren — referred to the auxiliary as a wonderful organization.

“We host parties, and I think it’s where I’ve met most of my friends,” she said. “I volunteer for the auxiliary and we have a good time. It’s where I get to meet, see and talk to people.”

As a part of the Busti Fire Department Auxiliary, Dahlgren helps to serve food and drinks to firefighters. She said sometimes the women firefighters help as well, and that they are a “big, happy family.”

Besides being part of the auxiliary, Dahlgren was also one of the original planners of the Busti Queen competition when it first started. She said it began to help out girls with scholarships and became a big event for the fire department and town.

It means a lot to Dahlgren as well.

“Miss Busti means we are trying to help girls with scholarships that we award them,” Dahlgren said. “It’s a big deal for the fire department, and it’s just an enjoyable time.”

This year, Miss Busti was crowned as part of the town of Busti’s bicentennial celebration. Reece Beaver, a junior at Southwestern, was crowned Miss Busti 2023, and Dahlgren herself was crowned Mrs. Busti 2023 — something that she was very surprised about.

“I was very surprised and very honored that they picked me,” she said. “I had no idea.”

Other memories for Dahlgren surrounding the Miss Busti competition include years ago when they used to do a fish fry and make their own fries. Dahlgren said she has a lot of good memories from her years of being part of the Miss Busti competition, and she hopes the competition will continue.

“I hope they keep it up,” she said. “Miss Busti encourages girls to run for that, and write essays. I think it’s good exposure for them and exposes them to volunteer work.”

Dahlgren added that the Busti Fire Department itself does a wonderful job in the community, and she is glad to volunteer for them with the auxiliary.

“Everything they do is wonderful,” Dahlgren said. “They save lives and fight fires and are wonderful first responders.”