Youth represent character in Blossomtime pageant
Published 8:48 am Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Miss Buchanan Andrea Bair
Miss Lawton Alissa Waite
Miss Niles Addison Davies
Miss Watervliet Kaylee Chapin is crowned Miss Blossomtime.
Miss Edwardsburg Katelyn Boyer is crowned second runner up.
Miss Coloma Cassidy Fickett
Miss Paw Paw Hannah Gibbs
Miss Berrien Springs Holly Ward
Miss Stevensville Jordan Shindeldecker
Miss Bloomingdale Jossie Rojas
Miss Benton Harbor Jurnee Agbowu
Miss New Buffalo Lauren Aroney
Miss St. Joseph Libby Fernau
Miss Hartford Mariel Hallgren
Miss Bridgman McKenna Smith
Miss Bangor Lauren Kimbler
Miss Watervliet Kaylee Chapint
Miss Heart Allison Ives
Miss South Haven Carsen Boyd
Miss Three Oaks Madelynne Keller
Miss Lawrence Devin Gray
Miss Spirit Natalie Smiy
Miss Cassopolis Noelle Kraus
Miss Baroda Bailey Wiese
Miss Eau Claire/Sodus Sareyah Quinn
When the curtain pulled back from the Mendel Center stage Monday night, the Blossomtime pageant contestants were ready with a dance number — and the crowd was ready with cheers of encouragement.
The 111th annual Blossomtime scholarship pageant spanned Sunday and Monday night. On Sunday, 32 contestants vied for the Mr. Blossomtime title.
Contestants who earned a spot in the Mr. Blossomtime court returned to the contest Monday to cheer on the queens. Among them was Dylan Catalano, of Buchanan , who was crowned first runner-up to Mr. Blossomtime.
There were 24 young women competing for a spot on the 2017 royal court Monday.
Miss Niles Addison Davies, Miss Cassopolis Noelle Kraus and Edwardsburg’s Katelyn Boyer made it to the top 10, along with seven other young women from southwest Michigan.
Finally, the top five contestants stood on stage holding hands as they waited to find out who would fill the 2017 court.
When the crown was placed on Miss Watervliet Kaylee Chapin’s head, the crowd and contestants applauded her win.
Describing the moment she was crowned, Chapin said it was everything she had imagined.
“It was surreal,” Chapin said. “It was definitely like a fairy tale dream come true that I had always thought of as a kid, but in that moment it was like what I imagined a princess would feel like.”
Sharing her enthusiasm was second runner-up Boyer.
With her crown held high, Boyer beamed as she reflected on her win.
“I am so overjoyed and blessed,” she said. “I have been dreaming of this moment for a very long time. “
Boyer is an Edwardsburg High School student. She said she hopes to earn a degree in a science or math field at St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame or Grand Valley State University.
Since she was 4 years old, Boyer has watched the Blossomtime pageants and dreamed of competing one day.
While she said she was drawn to the glamour of the show, she also said she liked the idea of helping her community through the service projects that the court members complete each year.
“It is not ‘Toddlers and Tiaras.’ It is genuine good hearted women who are taking a stance and being there for people who do not get seen as much in the community as they would like.”
Now, Boyer will join her fellow queens for several community projects, including visiting a senior home and local schools.
Catalano, who joins Boyer on the court, is no stranger to the pageant scene. In addition to his title of Mr. Buchanan, the teen once served as Little Mr. Buchanan around 2005. Since then, he has looked forward to one day competing in the Blossomtime pageant.
Inspired by his brother Ryan ,who competed for Mr. Buchanan in 2011, Catalano said he wanted to give the contest a try. His family is also involved in the Miss Buchanan pageant, which further encouraged him to try, he said.
“It is truly a blessing to represent my family and my community,” Catalano said.
Looking out into the audience Saturday night, Catalano said he saw a sea of neon glow sticks — most from Buchanan residents there to support their royalty through out the pageant.
“In Buchanan we are never shy,” Catalano said. “It was amazing to be able to look out and see where my friends and family were in the audience.”
