Miss Edwardsburg pageant names 2020 court
Published 8:11 am Thursday, October 31, 2019
EDWARDSBURG — As 17-year-old Sadie Kunze stood on the Edwardsburg Performing Arts Center stage, a “Wizard of Oz”-themed backdrop behind her, she was nervous.
So nervous, in fact, that when her name was called announcing her to be Miss Edwardsburg 2020, she did not believe it.
“I thought they had to mean someone else. It took me a minute to realize that it was real,” Kunze said, her steel blue dress shimmering under a spotlight. “As my grandma would say, I’m full of beans. I’m a mix of emotions because so many are coming in at once.”
Saturday evening, the Miss/Mr. Edwardsburg Scholarship and Youth Program named its 2020 court. Kunze was named Miss Edwardsburg and Miss Congeniality. Tyler Dahms, 17, was named Mr. Edwardsburg 2020. They are joined on the court of honor by second runner-up to Miss Edwardsburg Alexis Swihart, 17, and first runner-up to Miss Edwardsburg Caitlin Ziesmer, 17. Additionally, Jillian Scupham, 12, was named Miss Teen Edwardsburg, Jacob Edwards, 14, was named Mr. Teen Edwardsburg, Adeline Laporte, 9, was named Miss Jr. Teen Edwardsburg, and Savannah Garcia, 8, was named Miss Edwardsburg Princess.
For Kunze, being named Miss Edwardsburg was a dream come true. She returned to the stage Saturday evening after competing in the Miss Edwardsburg 2017 pageant.
“Ever since I saw the program in 2016, I have always wanted to be in this position,” she said.
Dahms, Mr. Edwardsburg, said he was likewise happy to have been crowned.
“I’m honestly very excited,” he said, wearing a glittering crown atop his head. “I’m very excited about what this title will bring.”
While still riding the highs of their wins, both Kunze and Dahms said they were excited for the upcoming year, the Miss Blossomtime Festival and the opportunity to represent the Edwardsburg community as Miss and Mr. Edwardsburg.
“Being Mr. Edwardsburg means representing all that Edwardsburg has to offer — a little bit of fun, a little bit professional, a little bit of everything,” Dahms said.
“I’m in this role as a leader to give back to the community what it gave to me and to spread the love of this community,” Kunze added, clutching a bouquet of roses. “I love this community. I love that there are so many opportunities for everyone. This town is always going to be behind me supporting me, so I want to support it.”
