By By ERIN VER BERKMOES / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN - While growing up, Chelsea Ghatoaura dreamed of one day being named Miss Buchanan.
On Saturday night before a packed gymnasium, her dream finally became a reality, as she was crowned Miss Buchanan 2005 from a field of 19 contestants.
Chelsea, 18, is a senior at Buchanan High School, who is 5-foot-1, with brown hair and brown eyes. She is the daughter of Tom and Carol Saladin of Buchanan.
At school, Chelsea is involved in varsity tennis and soccer, band, colorgaurd and National Honors Society. She is also a member of her churches choir and the Buchanan Walking Trail Committee.
For the contest Ghatoaura wore a strapless coral colored gown with silver beading and sequins on the top with a chiffon sash and skirt. A jeweled accent held the sash at the hip.
Upon graduation, she plans to attend a four-year university and major in broadcasting and journalism.
Jessica Gunn, a 17-year-old senior at Buchanan High School was named first runner-up.
She is the daughter of Rob and Cindy Gunn of Buchanan.
In school, Jessica is involved in the Buchanan Equestrian Team, National Honors Society, Spanish Club, and Spanish Honors Society.
After graduation she plans to attend Western Michigan University to obtain a degree in secondary education to teach Spanish. For the contest she wore a turquoise halter style gown with sliver beaded accents at the neck line, waist and throughout the dress.
Buchanan High School senior, Megan Hubbell, was named second runner-up. She is the daughter of Thomas and Shelly Hubbell. Her mother was also named second runner-up for Miss Buchanan.
In school she is involved in National Society, Spanish Club, Student Council and both Varsity Soccer and Volleyball.
After graduation, she plans to attend Western Michigan University and receive a degree in the field of English or Arts. Hubbell chose to wear a fuchsia pink strapless dress with silver and fuchsia beading and sequin accents for the contest.
Molly Ross, a 17-year-old senior at Buchanan, who is involved in the yearbook, Drama, S.A.D. D., Spanish Club, Varsity Cheerleading, Varsity Track and Field, and Science Olympiad, was chosen by her fellow contestants as Miss Congeniality.
She is the daughter of Jack and Tammy Ross. After graduation she plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College, and then transfer to Ferris State University to major in public relations.
She wore a strapless fuchsia pink strapless satin gown with silver beaded accents throughout it.
Other finalists were Heather Coger and Ashley Warda.
Other contestants were Jennifer Webb, Ruth Meredith, Heather King, Alisha Ranft, Jaclyn Mummaw, Elizabeth Thornton, Heather Lentz, Brittany Leitz, Linsey Ross, Kathleen Kechkaylo, Sarah Ritter, Sarah Wesner and Brittanee Smeltzer.