By DEBRA HAIGHT

Special to the Daily Star

BUCHANAN — Buchanan High School senior Roxie Elliott is the new Miss Buchanan 2014 after being crowned Saturday night in a community Blossomtime contest. The new queen was chosen from a field of 13 contestants before a sold-out crowd of more than 500 people in the Buchanan High School auditorium.

This year’s Blossomtime theme is “Let’s Get Animated” and the Miss Buchanan committee chose “Scooby Doo” as the local contest theme. The new queen will compete for the Miss Blossomtime title with other community queens March 16 and 17 at the Mendel Center on the Lake Michigan College campus in Benton Township.

Queen Roxie is the daughter of Mac and Marta Elliott of Buchanan. She wore a red jersey gown with sequin accents on the shoulder for the contest. She is 17 years old, 5 feet 3 inches tall and has blonde hair and blue eyes. She plans to attend Indiana University and major in broadcast journalism.

The new queen follows in the footsteps of her older sister, Katie, who was Miss Buchanan 2011.

Roxie is no stranger to winning beauty contests. She was Miss Southwest Michigan’s Pre-Teen 2008, Miss Southwest Michigan’s Outstanding Teen 2011 and Miss Auburn-Midland Outstanding Teen 2012. She competed in the Miss Michigan’s Oustanding Teen pageant twice and placed in the top 10 each time.

Her school activities include student council vice president, yearbook club editor, varsity soccer, Spirit club, Leo Club, Mean Stinks and Girls Be Positive. She has done mission trips to Nicaragua, volunteers at Granger Community Church, and is a member of the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council.

Niles High School senior Courtney Ankrapp was named First Runner-up in the contest. Courtney, 17, is the daughter of John and Mary Ankrapp of Buchanan. She plans to attend Ferris State University to obtain a degree in medical technology.

Her school activities include student council, French Club, softball, cross-country and volleyball. She has been on the honor roll at school and received Academic All-State and All-Conference honorable mention. She volunteers at her church, St. Mary’s in Niles, and has participated in Stuff-A-Bus. Her cousin, Tara Lunneen, was Miss Buchanan 1996.

Chosen Second Runner-up in the contest was Teagan Bushouse, 18, a senior at Berrien Springs High School. She is the daughter of Bill Williams and DeLynn Bushouse-Williams of Buchanan. She plans to attend Lake Michigan College and then transfer to a four-year Christian college to study to become a nurse or a pediatrician with the goal of becoming a medical missionary.

Her school activities include student council president, varsity volleyball, basketball, track and field and softball. She has been an athlete of the week and been on the honor roll. She has volunteered on mission trips, Camp Leo and Vacation Bible School at her church. Her mother was Miss Bangor 1984 and Teagan was a finalist in Junior Miss Blossomtime and Junior Miss Apple Festival.

Lauren Witherow, 17, was chosen Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants. She is the daughter of Tim and Paula Witherow of Buchanan and is a senior at Bridgman HIgh School. She plans to attend Northern Michigan University and then transfer to Michigan State or Ferris State to complete her education in optometry.

Her school activities include varsity soccer, varsity cheerleading, basketball, track and field and DECA. She has been named first team all-conference soccer and is the treasurer of the Happy Landings 4-H Club. She has volunteered for community activities such as Toys for Tots.

Other finalists were Bailey Foster and Tiffany Melton. Other contestants were Malia Bradbury, Andi Frost, Brooke Mefford, Dara Molica, Trista Nyhuis, Maddy Vorrath and Kiah Weaver.

This year’s Mr. Buchanan representatives are Buchanan High School seniors Johnny Johnson and Jordan York. They will compete in the Mr. Blossomtime contest on March 16.

Marie Summers is the pageant director. Judges for the contest were Kim Becker, Christina Frank and Patty Glynn. Buchanan attorney John Colip served as master of ceremonies for the contest.

Four $500 scholarships were presented to contestants in a random drawing, while the new queen won a $1,000 scholarship from the Buchanan Masonic Lodge.

The Edgewater Bank scholarship went to Courtney Ankrapp, the Harold Gaul Memorial Scholarship went to Tiffany Melton, the Redbud Insurance/Vorrath Classic Homes Scholarship went to Kiah Weaver and the Maureen Carr Memorial Scholarship went to Bailey Foster.

Entertainment was provided by Miss Buchanan 2013 Desiree Scoggin and the 2013 Miss Buchanan court.