By JOHN EBY
Dowagiac Daily News

BENTON HARBOR – Three Oaks’ Micheal Semenic, Contestant 37 of 39, Sunday night at Lake Michigan College Mendel Center was crowned the 14th Mr. Blossomtime by 2009 king Zack Devereaux of Buchanan.

Micheal’s court consists of First Runner-up Ruben Hanohano of New Buffalo, who also bannered in the swimwear competition wearing a sandwich board; Second Runner-up Nicholas Beam of Lawrence; and Mr. Nice Guy, the equivalent of Miss Congeniality in that he is selected by his peers, Anthony Barney of Benton Harbor.

An opening dance number to Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” included the 22 community queens vying tonight at 7 for Miss Blossomtime with the theme “Blossomtime … Where Dreams Come True.”

Pageants are being dedicated by President Anna Abdelnour to 51-year volunteer Bob Braamse, the “heart and soul of this festival” until he died in September.

Also bannering in the beachwear segment were Andrew Keppeler of St. Joseph and Drew Snyder of Stevensville.

Judges named a final 11 that also included Michael Glowacki and Drew Snyder of Stevensville, Justin Williams of Benton Harbor, Tyler Ganus of Buchanan, William Wregglesworth of Niles (his twin brother Andrew also competed), Andrew Keppeler of St. Joseph and Kendall Walker of Bridgman.

Fifteen young people will be splitting more than $11,000 in scholarship money.
Mr. Blossomtime, son of Mike and Lisa Semenic, dreams of being an FBI agent.
In the summer of 2009, Micheal attended the Michigan State Police Academy for the student trooper program.

“My instructors picked me to be class commander and I led the class in ceremony and drill.”

Asked to describe himself in one sentence, Micheal says, “I’m a dependable and trustworthy person who gets things done.”

At school Micheal participates in baseball, basketball, football, cross country and Student Congress.

Extra-curricular activities he enjoys include sports, camping, paintball and dirt biking.
“After high school I plan to go to Central Michigan University for criminal justice and psychology and sociology sciences,” Micheal says. “Also at CMU I plan to enroll in ROTC and become an officer in the Army. After a career in the Army, I plan to go into the FBI.”

First Runner-up Ruben Hanohano remembers moving to New Buffalo: “I will never forget feeling alone and then being welcomed in.” His parents are Ruben and Michelle Hanohano.

Ruben, Contestant 26, wants to study dance and fashion in college.

“Dancing is my dream because it is what I love,” he said, defining himself in three words as confident, diverse and fearless.

At school, Ruben participates in dance, varsity cheerleading, SADD, Future Educators, cross country, Drama Club, choir, mock trial, prom committee and morning announcer.
His extra-curricular pursuits include Livewire Youth Group, a weekend job, dancing and hanging out with friends.

Second Runner-up Nicholas Beam is an Eagle Scout whose “most memorable experience came on a family vacation this past summer. We took a 10-mile hike through some of the most beautiful nature I have seen.”

Nicholas wants to pursue a bachelor’s degree in pre-medicine, then attend medical school.

“One day I want to take these medical skills and use them to benefit the underprivileged. I also would like to go to Africa and help in medical clinics there.”

“I am a driven young man with a strong moral character who strives to be the best family member, friend and citizen I can be,” Nicholas says.

Contestant 22 is class treasurer, in National Honor Society, band, Quiz Bowl, Science Olympiad, cross country, baseball, jazz band and Variety Show.

Outside school, Nicholas enjoys church youth group and its praise band, being an altar server, Bible quizzing, lighting crew at Paw Paw Village Players, golfing, running, reading and acting in plays. He is the son of Thomas and Julie Beam.

Mr. Nice Guy Anthony Barney, son of Roosevelt and Yolanda Bell, describes himself this way: “I’m a very smart, handsome, outgoing person who loves being around people and helping others.”

In the future, “I plan to start an organization called TFAC (Teens for a Change). I also plan on going to SMC for two years to obtain by associate degree in criminal justice, then transferring to MSU to obtain my Ph.D. in psychology. My most memorable experience is the day my family and I attended my older brother’s departure ceremony for him to go to Iraq.”

Anthony’s school activities include Kappa League, SADD, Spanish Club, track and wrestling.

Contestant 5 also enjoys basketball, dancing, church and singing.