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Thursday, March 17, 2016

Miss Blossomtime 2016 is Ashley Sipla Miss Coloma; Mr. Blossomtime 2016 is Armani May Mr. South Haven

packed house cheered and encouraged 23 young women from across Southwest Michigan, as they vied for the honor of wearing the crown for title of Miss Blossomtime 2016 Monday night, March 14, at the Mendel Center in Benton Harbor. Miss Coloma Ashley Sipla was crowned Miss Blossomtime 2016 at the 110th Blossomtime Pageant following a night featuring an animated fan dance routine, formal presentations and video presentations set to “Blossomtime’s Greatest Hits,” the pageant theme. Miss Blossomtime 2016, the daughter of Todd and Jennifer Sipla, plans to attend Michigan State University and attain a dual degree in Communications and Business. Her goal is to become a successful Broadcast Journalist and eventually start her own consulting career. Her extracurricular interests and hobbies include President of the Student Council, School Representative and mentor to underclassmen, Comets for Cause, Marching Band, Pep Band, Concert Band and indoor and outdoor soccer. She has been on the Honor Roll and Principal’s List all four years of high school and placed 2nd in 2015 Michigan Bowling, lst All-Conference in bowling, and honorable mention in soccer. She volunteers at North Berrien Senior Center, FOP, school event concessions, Band Buddy, reading to elementary students and youth soccer and volleyball. Choking back tears of joy she looked to heaven as she thanked God for giving her this opportunity; she said, “I’ve gone here ever since I was a little girl. I’ve always dreamed of this moment. He blessed me with these beautiful girls, and I couldn’t have done this without them.” She is the third Blossomtime queen to represent the town of Coloma. Ashley also won a random drawing for the Queen’s Legacy scholarship. Miss St. Joseph Rachel Carle was crowned first runner-up. The honor student is a class officer and has received many academic awards. She is active in Youth Life, Key Club, Latin Club and Interact Club, Student Government, softball and volleyball and many volunteer activities. After graduation, Rachel plans to attend Michigan State University to study Commercial Interior Design and Architecture and she also hopes to be an organizer for mission trips to aid others in need around the world. She is the daughter of Bill and Renee Carle. Second runner-up is Ally Sinclair, Miss Hartford. Ally is dual-enrolled through Hartford High School and Southwestern Michigan College. After graduation she plans to play softball at Kalamazoo Valley Community College and plans to study Dental Hygiene with a long-term goal of becoming a Dentist

Linda Henderson in Benton Harbor | photos by natalie cacioppo

and Orthodontist. She has receive many academic and athletic awards. Ally is the team captain for softball, volleyball and basketball. She is the daughter of Shanon and Laura Sinclair. Miss Spirit Aliea Weber is Miss Congeniality 2016, a title awarded by her peers. She is the daughter of Allen and Ginnette Chapin. After graduation, Aliea plans to attend Calvin College or Western Michigan University to become an elementary school teacher. She has won numerous honors and awards and gives back through volunteering. She is participates in cross country, track, and she is a cheerleader. She is also a member of two choirs, student council and is the class President. Miss Cassopolis Stacey Horstmann won the Bob Braamse Community Service Award Scholarship in the amount of $1,000. Miss Edwardsburg

Courtney Yoder won the People’s Choice Award. The Blossomtime Queens Sorority $300 Scholarship was won by Miss South Haven Madison Nelson. Long-time Benton Harbor Community Chair, Linda Herlow of Berrien Springs was honored by winning the Bea Herman Chairman Award. Lexie Olson represented the community of Three Oaks’ River Valley in the pageant and she will participate in all of the 2016 Blossomtime Queens activities. New Buffalo was not represented in this year’s pageant for the first time since 1951. Serving as judges were: Brent McAtee, Natasha Silver Bell and James E. Campbell. Each judge submitted a question for the finalist to answer before they made their final selection. On Sunday

Miss and Mr. Blossomtime 2016

2016 Miss Blossomtime court

2015 Blossomtime Court: Miss Congeniality-Alyssa Wainwright, 1st Runner Up-Taylor Dustin, 2nd Runner Up-Marissa Claxton, Miss Blossomtime-Kalabrya Gondrezick

night, thirty-four contestants took the stage at the Mendel Center, entertaining all as they vied for the title of Mr. Blossomtime. Performing to the theme “Greatest Hits,” in addition to the formal wear presentation, competitors appeared in swimsuits and they provided animated dance numbers, which kept the audience cheering and rocking to the beat. Armani May, a South Haven High School senior, was crowned Mr. Blossomtime 2016. Armani is the son of Amere and Kenya May of South Haven. He is undecided on where he will attend college but he plans on studying criminal justice and public relations with an eye towards a law degree. His activities include varsity track and softball, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the National Honor Society. He also helps run summer youth basketball camps.

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irst Runner-Up Eric Engel, b 18, is a St. Joseph High r School senior and the son of t Brent and Julie Engel of St. g Joseph. He plans to attend t the University of Michigan and study s biomedical engineering with a goal to t go on to medical school. Eric enjoys baseball and football, and serves at the J M American Legion and plays on their basketball team. He also volunteers at b Lakeland Hospital’s emergency room. Second Runner-Up Romeo s Thompson, 19, a senior at Berrien t Springs High School is the son of m Michael Thompson of Berrien Springs. t His activities include soccer, indoor and outdoor track, Key Club and h Student Council. He plans to attend t Southwestern Michigan Collage to study speech therapy, and he also plans b to travel internationally. Mr. Nice Guy George Smallbone, was selected by his fellow court members. He is a 17 year old junior at Eau Claire High School and the son of Michael Smallbone and Christine PrillwitzHuber of Eau Claire. He plans to attend Central Michigan University and play football and study. New Buffalo was represented in the pageant by Miles Haskins, Mr. Heart of Blossomtime. Miles will participate in all of this year’s Blossomtime activities with his fellow area court members. Ruben Hanohano, Bonnie Kenicki and Melissa Palmer served as this year’s Mr. Blossomtime judges. Contestants in both events were judged on community service, communications skills, interviewing skills, poise and stage presence. The 2016 Blossomtime royalty shared over $20,000 in scholarship money. Serving as emcees for both evenings, were Blossomtime veterans Phil McDonald and Lainie Von Behren, Miss Blossomtime and Miss St. Joseph 1988.