By By DEBRA HAIGHT / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN – 17-year-old Brianne Janelle Weldy won her second crown of the year Saturday as she was named the new Miss Buchanan 2008. She had been named the Buchanan High School homecoming queen earlier this fall.
Queen Brianne was crowned from a field of 16 contestants Saturday night in a community Blossomtime contest. She will compete with queens from other area communities for the Miss Blossomtime title in March.
This year's contest theme was "Holiday in Tahiti" and the contest took place before a capacity crowd of 500 people in the Buchanan High School auditorium.
Queen Brianne is the daughter of Phil and Dale Weldy of Buchanan and is a senior at Buchanan High School. She stands 5 foot 5 inches tall, has brown hair and brown eyes.
For the contest, she wore a tangerine halter style gown.
In school, she is vice-president of the student council and a member of the varsity tennis and soccer teams. She is a member of the Art Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Spanish Club and the Red Bud Chorale.
She has also been a past member of the volleyball team, the marching and concert bands and had a lead role in the high school musical last year.
Her older sisters, Katrina and Rachelle, were Miss Congeniality in previous Miss Buchanan contests. Brianne hopes to attend Kentucky Christian University.
Stephanie Stanton, 17, was chosen First Runnerup in the contest. She is the daughter of Richard and Angela Stull of Buchanan and is a senior at Buchanan High School.
In school, her activities include varsity cheerleading, band, colorguard and cross country. She was the Junior Miss Apple Festival 2005. She plans to attend Lake Michigan College and then St. Mary's College to major in nursing.
Katina Kourlas, 18, was chosen Second Runnerup in the contest. She is the daughter of Eva Kourlas of Buchanan and is a senior at Buchanan High School. She plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College and then Grand Valley State University to get a degree in therapeutic recreation.
In school, she is vice-president of the National Honor Society and is a member of the student council. She has been student body president the last two years and performs in plays and musicals with the high school drama club and at the Tin Shop Theatre.
Chosen Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants was Mary Martin, 17. She is a senior at Buchanan High School and the daughter of Alan and Claire Martin. She plans to attend college to become a dental hygienist.
In school, she is involved in soccer, tennis, school plays and musicals. She is the student body secretary and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Other finalists were Emily Ross and Jordan Wahlstrom.
Scholarship winners chosen by random drawing were Megan Curry, Aleischa Shepherd, Taylor Krumrie and Katina Kourlas. Megan Curry was also given awards for the most ticket sales and and a new "Spirit of Miss Buchanan" award.
Richard Rossow of Buchanan served as the master of ceremonies. Judges were Penny Moore, Wayne Prillwitz and Leanne Rakowski. Pageant co-directors were Marcia Rifenberg and Marie Summers.
Other contestants were Ciara Myers, Mary Siemon, Julia Henry, Megan Curry, Mercedes Weaver, Taylor Krumrie, Noelle Granger, Carri Tallman, Alexis Reagan and Aleischa Shepherd.