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Miss Buchanan Chloe Aalfs (first row, far left) and Miss Eau Claire/Sodus Malayna Klug were crowned Miss Congeniality and Miss Blossomtime Second Runner-up Monday. Mr. Niles Rowan Iwaniuk (Back row, second from right) was crowned Mr. Blossomtime Second Runner-up. (Submitted)

Malayna Klug, who was crowned Miss Eau Claire/Sodus 2025 last November, was named 2025 Miss Blossomtime Second Runner-Up Monday at The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor. (Submitted)

Mr. Niles Rowan Iwaniuk and Miss Eau Claire/Sodus Malayna Klug were each named Second Runner-up. (Submitted)

(Submitted)

Malayna Klug, who was crowned Miss Eau Claire/Sodus 2025 last November, was named 2025 Miss Blossomtime Second Runner-Up Monday at The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor. (Submitted)

BENTON HARBOR — A pair of local students earned the honor of representing their communities on the 2025 Miss Blossomtime Court.

Malayna Klug, who was crowned Miss Eau Claire/Sodus 2025 last November, was named 2025 Miss Blossomtime Second Runner-Up Monday at The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor. Chloe Aalfs, who was crowned Miss Buchanan 2025 in December, was crowned 2025 Miss Congeniality Established in 1906, Blossomtime is Michigan’s oldest and largest multi-community festival.

Klug was crowned Little Miss Eau Claire in 2017 and Miss Miss Eau Claire Teen in 2022. Her sister, Mya, was crowned Miss Miss Eau Claire Teen 2025. Miss Bridgman Ava Starbuck was crowned Miss Blossomtime 2025.

Klug is Dowagiac’s Senior Class Representative and is involved in a variety of school organizations including National Honor Society, Environmental Club, Rotary Interact, Student Senate. She also competes on the school’s competitive cheerleading team and is on the Youth Advisory Council Michigan Gateway Community Foundation.

Outside of school, Klug is also a member of Miss Michele & Co.’s Competitive Dance Team.

After she graduates from high school, Klug plans to attend Michigan State University where she will major in hospitality and business with the goal of working and performing at Walt Disney World.

Her uncle, Adam Smego, was crowned Mr. Blossomtime 2003 and another aunt, Kelley Delozier, was named Miss Eau Claire 1995 and Second Runner-Up Miss Blossomtime in 1995.

Aalfs is a senior at Buchanan High School. She is also a four-year varsity volleyball player and a two-time team captain who has received all-state, all-region and all-conference honors for her play on the court. Aalfs is currently doing an internship at Beacon Memorial Hospital – where she also volunteers – for the Allied Health Program and is involved in Health Occupations Students of America where she earned a gold medal at the HOSA Regional Leadership Conference to qualify for state.

Aalfs plans to attend a four-year university majoring in psychiatric nursing while playing collegiate volleyball.

Miss Blossomtime Pageant results:

Ava Starbuck (Bridgman) – Miss Blossomtime

Avery Valenti (St. Joseph; Miss Spirit) – First Runner-up

Malayna Klug (Eau Claire/Sodus) 2nd Runner-up

Chloe Aalfs (Buchanan) – Miss Congeniality

Niles’ Iwaniuk named to Mr. Blossomtime Court

Mr. Niles 2025 Rowan Iwaniuk was named Mr. Blossomtime Second Runner-Up over the weekend. A senior at Niles High School, Iwaniuk is an active member of the Future Farmers of America and is the captain of his ice hockey team. He enjoys volunteering his time through many youth mentorship programs. After graduation, Rowan plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College before ultimately transferring to Michigan State to earn a degree in fire science and swine management.

Mr. Blossomtime results:

Ross Bettich (Stevensville) – Mr. Blossomtime

Breal Dorris (South Haven) – First runner-up

Rowan Iwaniuk (Niles) – Second Runner-up

Luke Laffey (Berrien Springs) – Mr. Nice Guy

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