By By JOHN EBY / Cassopolis Vigilant
BENTON HARBOR – Taylor Robson Sunday night brought Niles/Brandywine its first Mr. Blossomtime title in the contest's 12-year existence.
Taylor, son of Jeff and Lynn Robson, was Contestant 29 from 39 young men who competed at Lake Michigan College Mendel Center along with 23 community queens in the Showcase of Queens.
First runner-up is Matthew Siemans of St. Joseph. Second runner-up also hails from St. Joseph, Scott Olson, son of Todd and Michele Olson.
Mr. Nice Guy, comparable to Miss Congeniality in that it is selected by fellow contestants, went to Cal Pompey of Cassopolis.
Cal, whose parents are named Garry and Theresa, was Contestant 14.
Cal is drum major for the Ranger Marching Band, captain of the cross country team, captain of the track team and got accepted for Young Americans.
He helps run a summer children's sports camp at Ross Beatty High School.
Rounding out the final nine for Mr. Blossomtime were Kyle Green of Watervliet, Ryan Wagley of Edwardsburg, Jimmy Garcia of Watervliet, Ricky Rios of Hartford, Scott Palenske II of Three Oaks/River Valley and Sedrick Nelson of Benton Harbor.
Queens voted Most Photogenic at the preliminary Showcase of Queens included Miss Benton Harbor Ashley Coleman, Miss Stevensville Krystal Mendoza and Miss Watervliet Chelsea Goodrich.
Modeling awards were presented to Miss Bangor Ashley Eldred-Barker, Miss Hartford Patricia Hoeckelberg and Miss New Buffalo Alexandra Heit.
Each community queen prepared a commercial promoting a particular port of call. Communication winners were Miss Benton Harbor Ashley Coleman (New Orleans), Miss Buchanan Brianne Weldy (Tahiti) and Miss Edwardsburg Jeni Bollenbacher (New York City, dressed as a delicious red Big Apple with her arm as a worm puppet).
Miss Cassopolis Whitney Smego, daughter of Mike and Brenda Smego, advertised Charleston, S.C.
Miss Niles/Brandywine Whitney Spain, daughter of Thomas and Vickie Spain, featured Galveston, Texas.
Miss Decatur Brittney Compton, daughter of Jay Compton and Lorrie Stevens, dressed as a gondolier for a Venice, Italy, boat tour.