By JOHN EBY
Edwardsburg Argus

DOWAGIAC – Katelyn Lee, the only contestant of 25 from Dowagiac, won Miss Teen Blossomtime Sunday afternoon at the middle school Performing Arts Center.

Katelyn, 15-year-old daughter of David and Marilynda Lee, is a freshman at Union High School. She was Contestant 3.

Katelyn, who would like to be a nurse or veterinarian, dances competitively with Miss Michele Winchester’s company. Being confident is her favorite thing about herself.

“This is going to be about the best year ever,” Katelyn said.

Katelyn’s role model is her grandmother, who survived breast cancer.

First runner-up is Contestant 13 Allie Schoenleber of Niles. She is the daughter of Brent and Trisha Schoenleber. The future surgeon’s role model is “my grandma because she went through cancer and is a survivor now.”

Cheerleading is Allie’s favorite sport. Her favorite thing about herself is her kindness.
Second runner-up is Contestant 25 Kiersten Knight of Hartford. Kiersten, daughter of Eric and Heidi Knight, attends Watervliet Middle School.

Awarded Miss Congeniality was Contestant 20 Serina French of Benton Harbor. Serina, daughter of Vonda French, attends Upton Middle School in St. Joseph.

Theme of the pageant doubleheader with Miss Heart of Blossomtime was “Red Carpet Premiere 2010.”

Radio personality Phil McDonald, master of ceremonies, started the pageant seated in a director’s chair.

For “bling” around his neck he wore a giant diamond ring as the 31 girls danced to – lights! cameras! action! – “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend” for the opening production number.

Also advancing to the 10 finalists were: Emily Archer of Niles, Niles High School; Teagan Bushouse of Berrien Springs, Berrien Springs Middle School; Michelle Horstmann of Cassopolis, Ross Beatty Junior-Senior High School (she would like to be a Disney animator; her favorite character is Goofy; her role models are her self-made grandfathers; cheerleading is her favorite sport; and her favorite thing about herself is her compassionate personality); Melaina Von Behren of St. Joseph, Upton Middle School; Krystan Iazzetto of New Buffalo, New Buffalo High School; cellist Nina Burns of St. Joseph, Upton Middle School; and Emily Yerington of St. Joseph, St. Joseph High School.

Contestants also included: Sierra Brattain of Niles, Brandywine Junior-Senior High School; Erika Whittington of Paw Paw, Lawton Middle School; Paige Janowski of Buchanan, River Valley High School; Alexandria Haney of Niles, Niles High School; Miranda Bachman of Coloma, Coloma High School; Autumn Walsh of Benton Harbor, St. Joseph High School; Jennifer Sicurello of Benton Harbor, St. Joseph High School; Grace-Megan Vasquez of Hartford, Hartford High School; Sunny Gathright of St. Joseph, Upton Middle School; Deshawnay Williams of St. Joseph, St. Joseph High School; Halie Fisher of Watervliet, home-schooled; Tahje’ Clark of Benton Harbor, Fairplain Renaissance Middle School; Ashley Swan of St. Joseph, Upton Middle School; and Allyse Donarski of St. Joseph, Upton Middle School.

The 2009 Miss Teen Blossomtime, Kelsie Patrick, and her court, Breanna Workman, Rachel Zeider and Allysen Baxter, returned to crown their successors, as did 2009 Miss Heart of Blossomtime Emily Winkel and her court, Samantha Wilson and Greta Taylor.
The audience sang happy birthday to Blossomtime President Anna Abdelnour, who has been a volunteer for 18 years.

The pageant remembered Bob Braamse, killed in September, with a moment of silence. He volunteered with Blossomtime for 51 years.

Southwestern Michigan College student Jacob Lovell sang the national anthem.