Dowagiac will be represented in the Miss Blossomtime pageant March 14, 2011, at the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center for the first time since 2004.

A 2009 Union High School graduate, Elizabeth Kolden, Saturday night at the Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center won Miss Heart of Blossomtime, a contest for communities lacking a local Blossomtime pageant.

Elizabeth, who graduated fifth in the DUHS Class of 2009 and now attends Central Michigan University, finished first runner-up to Miss Dowagiac Shelby Willis.

Elizabeth’s court consists of First Runner-up Lauren Glynn of Decatur, Second Runner-up Arminda Hershberger of Cassopolis and Miss Congeniality Jessica Conklin of Marcellus.

Elizabeth, Contestant 3, stands 5-foot-3, with brown hair and brown eyes. Her parents are Patti Kolden and Roy Kolden.

She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in astrophysics and ultimately aspires to become a commissioned officer in the Air Force for a military intelligence career.

If she could do one thing for her community, it would be to “provide a community building with children’s programs, fitness centers and technology centers that would not only supply activities for the entire community, but also different job opportunities.”

Her community service and volunteer activities have included Shop with a Cop at Christmas, Back to School Blessings Day, Christmas with the Animals at the Cass County shelter and Family Reach Out Day.

She won the Capt. Samuel Felt Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizens Award, is a member of the National Honor Society of High School Scholars and was selected out of high school to become a contracted cadet in the Air Force.

Besides the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program, Elizabeth’s extra-curricular activities include tennis and trumpet.

Though not much of a television watcher (theme was “Bewitched”), Elizabeth occasionally tunes in HGTV. If she could magically change one thing about herself, it would be losing the dark bags long college hours are leaving under her eyes.

She chose Doug Henning as her favorite magician.

Lauren, daughter of David and Kristin Glynn, was Contestant 2. She stands 5-foot-5, with medium brown hair and hazel eyes.

“My goal is to attend Western Michigan University for music therapy or music performance and possibly transfer to Berkley for other music aspirations. My ambition would be to help people through my music and make a CD one day and have someone buy it.”

The Kalamazoo Gazette Yes! team staff writer lists such honors and awards as the 2008 Blue Lake Fine Arts Talent Show, NHS since 2008, NHS vice president 2010, drum major 2009-2010, Voice of Choice top eight, Colgate Country Showdown contestant and SAC student leadership, 2008-2009.

Lauren’s community service and volunteer activities include NHS, soup suppers, helping with Red Cross blood drives, playing music and singing at churches in her community and around Michigan, community plays, community get-togethers, singing the national anthem at specific events and entertaining at the Hamilton Grange Hall dance.

Lauren’s extra-curricular activities include music lessons, Dram Club, Science Olympiad, a family bluegrass band, marching band, concert band, church choir, solo and ensemble, a Christian rock band (A Bribe Against the Innocent), community and high school plays, acting and modeling classes, singing, writing songs, guitar, tenor saxophone, banjo, piano and poetry.

Harry Houdini is Lauren’s favorite magician.

“If I could do one thing for my community,” Lauren said, “I would bring everyone together for a concert, fundraiser, remembrance service for all of the people who are affiliated with soldiers present and fallen in our community.”

If Lauren could change one thing about herself, it would be her confidence.

“Sometimes I’m my own worst enemy,” she admitted.

Arminda, daughter of Kevin and Jill Hershberger, would like to be taller.

Her favorite TV show, she told Master of Ceremonies Phil McDonald, a Coast radio personality, is “The Price is Right.” David Copperfield is her favorite magician.

She led the other Heart contestants in selling tickets and program advertisements.

Arminda, 5-foot-3 with light brown hair and blue eyes, is named for her grandmother, Arminda Mesko, the first Cass County Fair grand marshal in 1981.

After high school, she plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College to pursue a degree as a radiology technician.

“I have received county medals through the 4-H program for leadership and in the sheep and dairy feeder divisions,” Arminda says. “I am also a member of the Cassopolis chapter of the National Honor Society. I have participated in park beautification at Memorial Park, Christmas caroling at Stone Lake Wood, nursing homes visits at the Cass County Medical Care Facility, the Shop-with-a-Cop program and children’s parties through the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, Cass County Haunted Woods” and she assisted with the Cass County Fair livestock auction.

“I have been involved with the Cass County 4-H program for nine years,” Arminda, Contestant 4, said. “I also participate in Homecoming float construction, yearbook, prom and class fundraisers.”

If Arminda could do one thing for her community, “I would open a recreation center for youth to provide them with activities after school. This would help working parents and keep kids from getting into trouble by keeping them busy.”

Jessica, Contestant 1, is the daughter of Jeff and Sue Conklin. She wants to become a flight attendant. If she could magically change something about herself it would be to no longer be bothered by epilepsy.

Jessica, 4-foot-11, has blue eyes and blonde hair. Her goal is getting honors in school and being a good student and leader.

Community activities are her 4-H club (teen leader for cows) and assistant teacher at Sunday school. Extra-curricular involvements include cheerleading, volleyball, softball, 4-H, Adopt-a-Highway, football, riding horses and shopping.

If she could do one thing for Marcellus it would be to “give my hometown money — like schools, library, 4-H.” Her favorite magician is Criss Angel.