By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
BENTON HARBOR - Ninth annual Mr. Blossomtime Joshua Wahlstrom of Buchanan was crowned from 45 young men from the 24 festival communities Sunday night at Lake Michigan College's Mendel Center.
Joshua's court includes First Runner-up Norm Kellogg of Hartford, Second Runner-up Arnold Gutu of Stevensville and Mr. Nice Guy David Kolberg of Baroda.
Mr. Nice Guy is comparable to Miss Congeniality and is voted upon by David's fellow contestants.
Joshua, Contestant 13, plays club and high school soccer, football and baseball and belongs to National Honor Society, HOSA, science club and ecology club.
His hobbies are weightlifting, exercising, watching TV, hanging out with friends and listening to music.
Mr. Blossomtime plans to attend college to major in biological or health sciences, then he wants to continue on to medical school to become a physician.
Joshua wanted to be Mr. Blossomtime "so I can give back to my community by representing it properly."
He described himself in one sentence as "an ambitious, determined person who aims high for success in my life."
Rounding out the 10 Mr. Blossomtime finalists were Edward Lee of Benton Harbor, Joique Bell of Benton Harbor, Eric Barnitz of Mattawan, Ezekiel Stevens of New Buffalo, Michael Vite of Cassopolis, Eric Odom of Watervliet (who won $200 for selling the most program advertising) and Eric Gargus of Bangor.
Each finalist, after judges twice silently eliminated 17 young men, answered a question about what advice they would give a friend with a substance abuse problem.
In the Showcase of Queens, which shares the LMC Mainstage with Mr. Blossomtime, the two dozen young women competed in their Hollywood "screen tests."
Modeling winners were Miss Buchanan Chelsea Ghatoaura, Miss Edwardsburg Chelsie Baucus and Miss Watervliet Kourtney Marvin.
Photogenic banners were won by Miss Paw Paw Danielle Small, Miss Heart of Blossomtime Lindsey Weaver of Marcellus and Miss Niles-Brandywine Lacey Wiemuth.
Communications involved contestants presenting commercials in costumes of their choosing. Miss Buchanan Chelsea Ghatoaura also won in that segment ("My Fair Lady"), along with Miss Benton Harbor Ashley Hampton (pitching Little Debbie snacks in a Southern accent) and Miss Three Oaks-River Valley Kaylee Magro (as Bit-o'-Honey spokesbear Winnie-the-Pooh).
In 2004, Miss Benton Harbor Brittney Brown bannered across the board in all three categories on her way to becoming Miss Blossomtime.
She will crown the 73rd bud queen tonight in "A Child's Dream" pageant that begins at 7 on the LMC Mendel Center Mainstage.
Community queens also competing tonight with different judges include Miss Bangor Erica Soto, Miss Baroda Carrie Krotzer, Miss Berrien Springs Jessica Gilbert, Miss Bloomingdale Kelly Cline, Miss Bridgman Abbey Nemitz, Miss Cassopolis Ashley Solloway, Miss Coloma Karen Mitchell, Miss Eau Claire-Sodus Anna Glassman, Miss Galien Paige Olney (who won $300 for selling the most program advertising), Miss Gobles Erin Killeen, Miss Hartford Vanessa Garcia, Miss Mattawan Jessica Chopp, Miss New Buffalo Nika Corwin, Miss St. Joseph Meenakshi Davuluri, Miss South Haven Katie Novotny and Miss Stevensville Drew Aiken.
The program began with a dance number, "Summer Nights," from Grease.