Mary Ann Fox: Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable!
Ambition. Enthusiasm. Humility.
These qualities will take you places.
Oh, and becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable..
Mary Ann Fox is exhibit-A. The Iowa State University Cyclone majoring in ag engineering is serving as an Iowa FFA officer and Iowa State Fair queen… simultaneously.
She’s also down with any question that comes her way, evident by our conversation for “Around the Bend.”
Her favorite Iowa State Fair food (who better to ask) is the Pickle Dawg courtesy of Dawg House Concessions.
“It’s a giant pickle, covered in cream cheese and pastrami and then deep fat fried,” Mary Ann describes as though she’s preparing to take a bite of the salty treat.
“I visited that concession stand at least two times a day during last year’s fair. And it will be one of my first when the state fair returns in August.”
Speaking of making return visits, Mary Ann intends to do some exploring after earning her degree in 2026. “But I want to settle down in Iowa,” she readily admits. “The only way to continue making Iowa better is to stay in Iowa.”
Down to Earth
Mary Ann combines her focus on the future and mastery of the present with a down-to-Earth persona that’s surprisingly refreshing given all she’s accomplished.
“Being raised on a farm – that’s a big part of who I am,” she admits. “Farming teaches responsibility and problem solving, especially when caring for livestock.”
“The only downer,” she quickly adds, “is that you always come in from outside smelling.”
Which, for a queen, can be an issue. Yet Mary Ann takes it all in stride.
“When I’m working with my FFA teams and in other conversations, I always relate it back to the farm and my agricultural roots,” she says. “That’s where it all started for me, so every story I tell begins there. It’s keeps you humble and relatable.”
Given she has two older brothers, it should also come as no surprise that Mary Ann has a competitive streak.
For example, last year’s Iowa State Fair queen appeared at 61 county fairs. Mary Ann’s goal: 67-plus.
As a fourth grader, Mary Ann got her first glimpse of being an FFA state officer courtesy of RFD-TV, a cable news station covering all things food and agriculture. Needless to say, it made an impression.
“It made me want to be in FFA and serve as a leader in the organization,” she says. “That want became a goal and there was no greater feeling than to accomplish it last year.”
She also recalls as a youth catching episodes of Iowa Public Television’s state fair highlight show, including the pageantry of the queen selection and crowning.
“I just never thought it would be me,” she says. “It wasn’t really on my radar.”
While 30 candidates might vie for a state FFA office, 102 women compete in the queen competition.
“They were both very rewarding contests but require a completely different mindset,” says Mary Ann.
Oddly enough, one leadership role was a goal, the other a very pleasant surprise.
“I always wanted to be an FFA officer. But for state fair queen, I was going to be OK regardless of the outcome.”
Double take
The biggest surprise for Mary Ann since her coronation?
“How known the state fair queen is!” she replies. “People know that title. They recognize you. Some even do a double take when they see me walking across campus.
“It shocks me as to how much it shocks other people.”
Serving as queen of the world’s greatest state fair has been a manageable adventure.
“Not a lot of weird requests… except perhaps when ISU’s College of Engineering communications team asked me if I’d be OK being photographed in a cattle pen wearing my queen attire. That was a first.”
Leadership roles have helped Mary Ann grow personally and professionally.
She’s become a better scheduler and time manager. They’ve also sharpened her public speaking skills.
“But most of all, they’ve helped me become comfortable with the uncomfortable.”
Put another way, Mary Ann rolls with situations, is open to changing plans and shifting gears, stays true to herself and doesn’t get too high or too low.
“True leaders don’t have egos,” Mary Ann says. “They are approachable and authentic. I try to be those things.”
Favorites
Mary Ann’s favorite restaurant is any serving Mexican cuisine. Her favorite food has to be her mother’s goulash. Favorite hobby is running (helps her clear the mind and organize her thoughts).
Her biggest pet peeves are people chewing with their mouth open and those who just go along with trends or say what they think people want to hear.
“Speak your mind,” she says.
Her advice for others is simple and to the point.
“Say yes to opportunity. Volunteer and compete. Regardless of the outcome, you’ll be better because of it.
And, says, Mary Ann, “you’ll become comfortable with the uncomfortable.”
Mary Ann Fox with fellow Iowa state FFA officers George and Sam Martin.