By Staff
BUCHANAN -- Eighteen girls will vie for the title of Miss Buchanan in the Miss Buchanan Pageant, to be held on Saturday, Jan. 10, at 7 p.m. at Buchanan High School. Doors open at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $9 and will be available at the door.
This contest is chaired by Kim Gaul, Court Chaperone Suzanne Hipshear, and Pageant Chairs Leona Rosenthal and Marcia Rifenberg.
This year's pageant theme will be "Hats off to American Heroes."
Here are this year's contestants.
Holly Tibbs
Holly Tibbs, 17, daughter of Laura Kay and Daniel Tibbs, plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College and transfer to Western Michigan University to major in medical science. She is active in varsity basketball, volleyball, and prom committee. Tibbs has been honored in basketball, including district and regional championships and the merit award. She enjoys refereeing junior bucks basketball teams and being with her friends. She has two brothers, Charlie and Chaz, and two sisters, Heather and Amber. She works at Harding's Friendly Market.
Ashlee Pearl Layher
Ashlee Pearl Layher, 17, daughter of Annette and Rick Layher, plans to attend Lake Michigan College and become a radiologist or lab technician. Layher is active in basketball and volleyball and has been recognized for All-Conference basketball and volleyball. She enjoys spending time with her family, as well as fishing, golfing, shopping and walking. She has a brother, Cari.
Asa Galaske
Asa Galaske, 18, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Galaske, plans to attend Grand Valley State University to major in pre-med, then attend the University of Michigan for her doctorate. She is involved in S.A.D.D., soccer, National Honor Society, and is an elementary school teacher's assistant. Galaske is active in tennis, soccer, prom committee, Buchanan All-Stars, and is an Optimist Soccer referee. She has been honored for the MEAP Merit Award, Academic Achievement letter, and volunteering at Lakeland Regional Hospital. She enjoys exercising, being with her pets, rollerblading, being at the beach, and being with her friends and family. She had a brother, Adam, and is employed at Dr. Bhat's office.
Emily Dreitzler
Emily Dreitzler, 17, daughter of Michele and George Dreitzler, plans to attend a four-year university to major in journalism and minor in advertising. She is Secretery of her senior class in National Honor Society and is a yearbook staff member. She is active in volleyball, basketball, S.A.D.D. and Spanish Club. Dreitzler has received the Brooke Simon "For the Love of the Game" Award and was the only person in her school to be picked to attend the Rotary Leadership Camp. She enjoys listening to music, shopping, and watching movies. She has a brother, Derek, and is employed at Prime Table Restaurant.
Michelle Marie Johnson
Michelle Marie Johnson, 18, is the daughter of Joan and Jeffrey Johnson. She plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College and receive her degree as a Registered Nurse. Johnson is active in varsity basketball, volleyball, softball, and the yearbook staff. She has been on the honor roll and enjoys spending time with her family and friends as well as snowmobiling. She is employed at Redbud MX.
Adriane Spenner
Adriane Spenner, 17, daughter of Pat Higginbotham and Robert Spenner, plans to attend Grand Valley State University to major in pre-med and transfer to a medical school after receiving her Bachelors in Chemistry or Biology. Spenner is active in running in track and has run cross country and earned three varsity letters, as well as S.A.D.D. and YAC Youth Advisory and Ecology Club. She has been honored with nearly seven letters in cross country and track. She enjoys being with her friends and family as well as shopping. She has a sister, Beth, and is employed at Harding's Supermarket.
Rachelle Weldy
Rachelle Weldy, 17, daughter of Phil and Dale Weldy, plans to attend Kentucky Christian College. She is involved in Student Council, S.A.D.D., varsity soccer, volleyball, and cheerleading. She has participated in band, colorguard, and tennis. Weldy has received recognition for Most Valuable Player in soccer in 2003 and All-Star cheerleader at Universal Cheerleading Association. She enjoys being outdoors, swimming, snowmobiling, skiing, soccer, being at the beach, and being with her friends. She has three sisters, Tabitha, Katrina, and Brianne.
Sarah McNees
Sarah McNees, 17, daughter of Laurie McNees and Jeff Dulinger, plans to attend Central Michigan University and major in Entrepreneurial Business and major in Fine Arts. She is President of S.A.D.D., co-secretary of the Art Club, a four-year marching band member, and is involved in National Honor Society, varsity soccer, the All-Star program, Student Council, and Ecology Club. McNees has been honored with All-Conference Academic Athletic team, Niles-Buchanan Rotary Student of the Month, Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award, and Who's Who of American High School students. She enjoys photography, art, and indoor soccer.
Holly Gorbitz
Holly Gorbitz, 18, daughter of Yvonne and John Gorbitz, plans to attend Lake Michigan College for business, then transfer to a college in Chicago for cosmetology. She is involved in ceramics and scupturing, Art Club, and recycling. Gorbitz is active in S.A.D.D. and enjoys stories and working on the computer. She has a sister, Jennifer, and previously worked at Lane Bryant.
Stephanie Susan Dohn
Stephanie Susan Dohn, 17, daughter of Dave and Karen Dohn, plans to join the Coast Guard Reserves and attend either Western Michigan or Central Michigan University to major in criminal justice or social work. She is active in varsity cheerleading and S.A.D.D. Dohn was captain of cheerleading for this school year and received an academic letter for her grades. She enjoys reading, swimming, shopping, and being with her friends and family. She has five brothers, Matt, David, Mark, Jake, and Jeff, and a sister, Nicole. During the summer, she is employed at Warren Dunes State Park.
Kristen Michelle Clark
Kristen Michelle Clark, 17, daughter of Sherry and Keith Clark, plans to attend a four-year college and pursue a career in the medical field. She is involved in S.A.D.D. and Spanish Club. Clark has been selected to be in the Professional Health Careers Academy and is in the Spanish Honor Society. She enjoys shopping, being with her friends and family members, and traveling. She has three brothers, Keith, Kevin, and Lawrence.
Sara Loeffler
Sara Loeffler, 17, daughter of Bill and Diane Loeffler, plans to attend Purdue University and enter their preveterinary program. She is active in National Honor Society, Close-Up, and the All-Star program. Loeffler has received the Peer Sportsmanship Award, Champion Senior Horse at Youth Fair and the South Bend Tribune Student Spotlight. She enjoys 4-H, rodeo and barrel racing and reading. She has a brother, Brian, and a sister, Monica.
Felicia Kristina Lotsbaich
Felicia Kristina Lotsbaich, 18, daughter of Robert and Debra Lotsbaich, plans to attend a four-year university. She is active in varsity soccer, tennis, indoor soccer, National Honor Society, yearbook, and the All-Star program. Lotsbaich has been honored for her honor roll status and tennis conference champion. She enjoys shopping, seeing movies, swimming and traveling. She has three brothers, Jason, Steve, and Ryan, and two sisters, Natasha and Virginia. She is employed at Harding's Market.
Jamie Horn
Jamie Horn, 17, daughter of Jim and Sandi Horn, plans to attend Taylor University to major in journalism. She is active in holiday and festival band and volleyball. She has been honored on the National Honor Society and Who's Who Among American High School Students. She enjoys playing sports and being with her friends and family. She has a sister, Jessica.
Tessa Rene Harris
Tessa Rene Harris, 17, daughter of Richard Harris, plans to attend beauty school and massage therapy school, eventually handling her own business. Harris is involved in S.A.D.D., B.N.N. (Buchanan News Network), and RedBud Chorale. She enjoys singing, playing softball, and being with her friends and family. She is employed at Milano's Pizza.
Lindsay Christine Colip
Lindsay Christine Colip, 17, daughter of John and Dawn Colip, plans to attend a four-year university to study pre-med or accounting. She is active in varsity basketball, softball, National Honor Society, yearbook, and was the December Rotary Student of the Month. Colips has been on the Honor Roll, I Dare You Leadership Award, and All-Conference and All-District Softball. She enjoys reading, playing basketball and softball, and being with her friends and family. She has two brothers, Nick and Andrew.
Brittany Harrington
Brittany Harrington, 17, daughter of John and Cari Harrington, plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College and transfer to a four-year university. She is active in National Honor Society, Student Council, and soccer, track and tennis. She received the Citizenship Award, two-time Optimist Student of the Month, and Rotary Student of the Month. Harrington enjoys writing, reading, playing tennis, and participating in 4-H activities. She has a brother, Justin. She is employed at G. Lengemann Co.
Courtney Rashell Couty
Courtney Rashell Couty, 17, daughter of Jessica and Larry Hawks, plans to attend Lake Michigan College before transfering to Western Michigan University to study forensic science. Couty is a two-year varsity cheerleader and will participate in her fourth year of track this spring. She enjoys playing basketball, riding horses, shopping, and being with her friends and family. She has a brother, Chris.