ST. JOSEPH —This past Saturday, Amanda Loehrs, of Paw Paw, received the honor of representing her community as Miss Heart of Blossomtime 2018, in front a full house at St. Joseph High School.

Joining Loehrs on the Miss Heart Court of Honor are Dowagiac’s Makaela Castaneda, who earned the title of second runner-up, and Harli Ivey, who was crowned Miss Congeniality.

The Miss Heart Pageant originated in 1992,  offering young women living in communities that do not host Miss Blossomtime pageants the opportunity to compete in the springtime show. These communities include Allegan, Decatur, Dowagiac, Paw Paw, Covert, Fennville, Lawton, Mattawan, Marcellus, Three Rivers, Vicksburg and surrounding communities in southwest Michigan.

As Miss Heart of Blossomtime, Loehrs will join her sister community queens to compete for more than $20,000 in scholarships in the Miss/Mr. Blossomtime 2018 pageants, which will be on March 11 and 12 at Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center.

Second Runner-up Castaneda is a senior at Dowagiac Union High School.

She plans to attend Lake Michigan College to study radiology to become an MRI technician. Castaneda is a member of the football sideline cheer team, competitive cheer, Chieftain Heart, Rotary Interact and track.

Miss Congeniality Ivey is the daughter of Sherri Ivey and Ray Payne. She is a student at Southwestern Michigan College, and plans to become a nurse.

Loehrs, the new Miss Heart of Blossomtime, is a senior at Paw Paw High School, with dual enrollment at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and is the daughter of Jody and Jeff Loehrs.

Upon graduation, she plans to continue her education to receive a doctorate of pharmacy. She has been a member of the competitive cheer team, SADD and Key Club.

Earning the title of first runner-up was Aubrey Nespodzany, of Mattawan. She attends Mattawan High School.

After graduation, she plans to attend Western Michigan University to join the school’s Lee Honors College, and will study interdisciplinary health services/exercise science to become a physical therapist.

Nespodzany is the daughter of Buffy and Joe Nespodzany. Nespodzany is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish club, pre-healthcare club and Peer 2 Peer Program.

Representing Mr. Heart of Blossomtime is T.J. Conklin, of Marcellus, son of Jeff and Susan Conklin. He attends Decatur High School and, upon graduation, his goal is to one day own and operate a cattle ranch raising purebred angus, and is now working on becoming a firefighter like both his father and grandfather.

Conklin is involved with the drama club, varsity wrestling, varsity football. He is president of his 4-H group, and is a previous grand champion and reserve champion of lambs, goats, and cattle during his years in 4-H. He also received varsity letters in band, football, and wrestling, and was named First Team All-Conference for football.

Area teenagers also competed for the title of Miss Teen Blossomtime 2018 Saturday evening. Twelve contestants, ranging in ages from 13 to 15, vyed for the title that evening.

Crowned Miss Teen Blossomtime 2017 was Raelyn DeGroff, the daughter of Jim and Nikki DeGroff.

Crowned first runner-up was Tori Carter. She is a sophomore at Lakeshore High School, and is the daughter of Angela and Troy Carter.

Crowned second runner-up was Breckyn Bussey, of St. Joseph. She is an eighth-grade student at Upton Middle School, and is the daughter of Michelle and Tom Bussey.

Tying into the 2017 Festival theme “Roll out the Red Carpet,” the pageant’s theme was “Four Seasons.” The chairman of Miss Heart and Miss Teen Blossomtime is DeAnn Zindler. Lindsay Zvonar emceed the pageant.