It was a full house in the Buchanan High School auditorium Saturday night as Berrien Springs High School senior Desiree Scoggin was crowned Miss Buchanan 2013.

During the annual scholarship pageant, 14 Buchanan residents competed before a packed auditorium and three judges for the crown, which was previously held by Miss Buchanan 2012 Kelsie Patrick. The event’s theme was selected at random and displayed pieces of Disney’s popular film “The Princess Diaries.” Former Miss Niles Sara Rice served as master of ceremonies while the contestants performed entertainment and formal presentations for the three judges, Leanne Rakowski, Barry Borst and Michele Davis Wagner.

The Miss Buchanan 2013 top five finalists included Scoggin, first runner-up Katlynn Kennedy, second runner-up Elizabeth Martin and Buchanan High School seniors Allison Cornwell and Danielle Dale. Senior Renee Ruth was selected as Miss Congeniality 2013.

Beyond the 2012 Miss Buchanan court, which included Patrick and Mr. Blossomtime 2012 Agape Mpamira, other area royalty were in attendance, including Miss Edwardsburg 2013, Miss Niles 2013 and others. After the announcement of the top five finalists, Mpamira and Patrick delivered their farewell speeches, thanking family, friends and the Miss Buchanan Inc. committee for their effort and time.

“We’re having the time of our lives thanks to all of you,” Patrick said during her speech. “Buchanan isn’t just a community, it’s a family.”

Pageant contestants were eligible to receive one of three $500 scholarships, which were also awarded during the event Saturday. Rose Murdock was awarded the Harold R. Gaul Memorial Scholarship. Ruth was the 2013 recipient of the Dale Rifenberg Memorial Scholarship and Martin received the Maureen Carr Memorial Scholarship, which was created recently to honor Carr, who lost her battle with lung cancer this past fall.

Ruth, 17, a Buchanan High School senior and daughter of Lynn and Ramiro Silva, stands at five feet, seven inches with blonde hair and blue eyes. After graduation, she plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College and then transfer to Grand Valley State University after two years to specialize in anthropology.

Second runner-up Martin, 17, a senior at Buchanan High School, stands at five feet, three inches with dark brown hair and eyes. Martin is the daughter of Alan and Claire Martin and plans to attend a four-year college after graduation, studying either writing, social work or the arts.

First runner-up Kennedy, 17, is the daughter of Christine Kennedy and is a senior at Buchanan High School. Standing at five feet, six inches tall with brown hair and hazel eyes,  Kennedy plans to attend the University of Michigan to acquire a career in biomedical engineering.

Scoggin, 17, a Buchanan resident and senior at Berrien Springs High School, is the daughter of Dawn Robinson and Jeffery Scoggin.

During her finalist question and answer, Scoggin said she would choose to be Princess Diana, “because she was an icon throughout the ages … her death was tragic, but her story lives on.”

After being crowned queen, Scoggin received the Queen’s Scholarship, totaling $1,000 from the Buchanan Lodge 68 of Free and Accepted Masons of Michigan. Scoggin plans to attend college on a volleyball scholarship and pursue a degree in physical therapy. Her ultimate goal is to work at South Bend Orthopedic.

After shedding a few happy tears over her coronation as Miss Buchanan 2013, Scoggin said she entered into the pageant with confidence.

“I felt confident throughout and I’ve always been told confidence is key,” she said.

Scoggin also said she was looking forward to the year ahead.

“Right now, it’s surreal,” she said.

“But it’s going to be a great experience and I’m so excited to get it all started.”