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Miss Buchanan Lillian Waggoner crowned 2022 Miss Blossom

MR. BLOSSOM IS MR. STEVENSVILLE NATHAN HAWKS

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Seeing as how the Mr.

and Miss Blossomtime pageants at the Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor were put on hold for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it seemed fitting that Miss Buchanan Lillian Waggoner would be posed with a question on the positive effects that the global event had on her life.

“I’ve become a more confident and better person of myself,” she said, adding that she appreciates her family because “they really helped me with my confidence as well.”

Waggoner was crowned the 89th Miss Blossomtime at the first pageant at the Mendel Center since March 2019 in front of a packed audience of supporters Monday night, April 25. An 18-year-old from Buchanan, Lillian is the daughter of Crystal and Brandon Waggoner. She is a senior at Berrien Springs High School. Lillian plans to attend Lake Michigan College and then transfer to a four-year college to study Special Education. During high school, Lillian has participated in concert choir, Bel Canto, and band.

The guys strike a pose after the opening number Sunday night

Queens and their princesses pose onstage Sunday night Mr. Three Oaks and River Valley Sebastian Kirk models a 1920s swimsuit during the communications segment

Mr. contestants pose in their formal wear

The Miss contestants pose onstage before the crowning

Miss Three Oaks and River Valley Maura Killips poses in her formal wear

Miss and Mr. Three Oaks and River Valley Maura Killips and Sebastion Kirk discuss their community Miss Blossomtime contestants strike a pose after the opening number

Madisen Kozinski is crowned first runner-up to Miss Blossomtime Miss Bridgman Stephanie DeMeulenaere poses in her formal wear

She currently plays varsity soccer. She has volunteered her time traveling to Toronto, Canada, and a Native American Reservation in Minnesota for a mission trip.

Lillian thanked the judges

for being “so sweet in the interviews.”

“I want to thank my parents for helping me and supporting me and I want to thank all of you for coming out here and supporting these beautiful girls,” she said.

Joining her is first runnerup, Miss Stevensville, Madisen Kozminski. Madisen is 19 years old and the daughter of Dayna Kozminski and Ken Kozminski. She attends Michigan State University, where she’s studying marketing and hospitality business.

The Covid-19 pandemic has encouraged Madisen to take advantage of every opportunity that’s within her reach, as she missed out on a lot of opportunities during her senior year of high school.

“Going into college, I now realized every opportunity I’ve been given,” she said, adding that she’s joined the honors college.

Second runner-up, Miss Spirit, Kirsten Krause is the 17-yearold daughter of Gail and David Krause. She currently attends Berrien Springs High School. After graduation, she plans to pursue a degree in social work.

The pandemic made her appreciate those whom she loves even more.

“It made me value the time that I have with family in person and to be able to hug and talk to them because I love the person,” she said, adding that this was something she’d always “taken for granted.”

Crowned Miss Congeniality was Breanna Truelove, an 18-yearold senior from Lawrence. She is the daughter of Stephanie and Shannon Truelove. She plans to attend KVCC and then transfer to a university for a medical or educational degree.

The People’s Choice winner was Miss Coloma, Isabella Greenman.

The Miss pageant included attendance and on-stage recognition from 13 former Miss Blossomtime Queens and over 50 former Community Queens, with the oldest being Lynne Cobianco, Miss Hartford 1956.

On Sunday night, April 24, Mr. Stevensville Nathan Hawks was crowned the 25th Mr. Blossomtime.

Nathan is a 17-year-old junior at Lakeshore High School and is the son of Angela and Brent Hawks of Stevensville. Nathan will be attending Michigan State University in pursuit of a business and horticulture degree. He’s president of his class, plays varsity golf and is a member of the Lakeshore Marching Band.

To go along with this year’s pageant theme, “Past, Present and Future,” Mr. contestants were asked: “What is one lesson you’ve learned in the past that you would apply to your future reign?”

Nathan said he would apply his work ethic, saying that his goal is to “strive every day to work hard at what I do” (he operates his own landscaping business) and that he hopes to bring that attitude to his reign.

Nathan, who got a little emotional upon being crowned, said upon being crowned that he “absolutely could not believe it...I was so excited.”

Crowned First Runner-up to Mr. Blossomtime was Jacob Timmer of South Haven. He’s an 18-year-old senior at South Haven High School and is the son of Stephanie and Randy Timmer. He plans to attend the University of Michigan to study Structural Engineering to one day own a commercial structure engineering firm.

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As first runner-up,

Jacob will strive to convey the message to others that “it’s okay not to be okay.”

“I would 100% empower the future younger generation of males by telling them it’s okay to ask for help and ask if you need something,” he said.

Second runner-up Wesley Seabury, an 18-year-old senior at Coloma High School, had a simple answer to what lesson he’ll apply to his future reign: “Always believe in yourself because you can do whatever you want to.”

The son of Angela and Warren Seabury, Wesley will be attending Lake Michigan College to study Biology.

Crowned Mr. Nice Guy was Gabriele Campoli, a 17-year-old senior from Edwardsburg. He is the son of Michelle Whitmer and Joel Campoli. He plans to attend Tidewater Community College and then transfer to Virginia Tech to major in business and minor in acting.

The Kings’ award winners for Photogenic were awarded to James York, Berrien Springs; Tyjah Covington, Hartford; and Paul Pirri, Niles. Modeling awards went to Michael Kirby, Benton Harbor; Timothy Nichols Jr., Benton Harbor; and James York, Berrien Springs. Communication awards went to Timothy Nichols Jr., Benton Harbor; James York, Berrien Springs; and Logan Mooney, Stevensville. The King’s Legacy Scholarship was awarded to Daniel Danes from Bloomingdale. The king’s non-finalist scholarship was awarded to Mason Williamson from Bridgman. Good Luck Ad winners were (tie) Andreas Wilder of Bridgman and Logan Mooney from Stevensville. A King’s interview award will be awarded at the mayor’s dinner Tuesday, May 17.

The Showcase of Queens award winners for Photogenic were awarded to Miss South Haven, Alyssa Wilson; Miss Spirit, Kirsten Krause; and Miss St. Joseph, Cecelia Soler. Modeling awards went to Miss Benton Harbor, Aniya Williams; Miss Berrien Springs, Anna Freeman; and Miss Niles, Carsyn Franz. Communication awards went to Miss Coloma, Isabella Greenman; Miss Eau Claire/Sodus, Emilie Kurtz; and Miss Spirit, Kirsten Krause. The princess program scholarship winners were Miss Lawrence, Breanna Truelove and Miss (Blossomtime) Buchanan, Lillian Waggoner and Miss Benton Harbor, Aniya Williams. The Community Queen’s Legacy Scholarship was awarded to Miss Three Oaks, Maura Killips. The Southwest Blossomtime Sorority Scholarship was awarded to Miss Heart, Taylor Palmer. The Good Luck Ad winner was Miss St. Joseph, Cecelia Soler. The Bob Braamse Community Service Scholarship was awarded to Miss South Haven, Alyssa Wilson. A Queen’s interview award will be awarded at the mayor’s dinner on May 17th, 2022.

Judges for the Mr.

Blossomtime pageant were Tiffany Green, Andrew Skipper, and Lisa Bowman Walters.

Judges for the Showcase of Queens pageant were James Nestler, Corban Wagner, and Katlynn Kennedy.

Judges for the Miss Blossomtime pageant were Kelli Pfefferman Brady, Brandy Godush Cox and Bret McAtee.

Former Miss Blossomtime 1988, Lanie Lu Von Behren and the Lady of the Lake Catholic School Athletic Director, Phil McDonald emceed both pageants.

The Top 5 Mr. finalists pose onstage

Miss Blossomtime contestants pose in their formal wear The Top 6 Miss contestants wait the crowning

Miss Blossomtime 2020 Faith Kittleson poses with her court one last time

Miss Bridgman Stephanie DeMeulenaere introduces her community while Mr. Bridgman Andreas Wilder looks on

Kirsten Krause is crowned second runner-up to Miss Blossomtime

Mr. Blossomtime 2022 Nathan Hawks posing with Mr. Blossomtime 2020 Jeremiah Sterling