Miss Buchanan becomes Miss Blossomtime 2022
by Tracie Chenshaw
April 25th 2022 shone as an exceptional day for Lillian Waggoner, Miss Buchanan, crowned Miss Blossomtime in an exciting and stunning pageant. There were 21 contestants lined up on Main Stage at Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center on the Monday evening, each eager to claim the 2022 throne. Judgement for the title includes communication, interviewing skills, poise, personality, stage presence, and community service.
The last time a Miss Buchanan secured the title was 2014 (Roxie Elliot), and before that, 1981 (Cara Ann Hankila).
The five other finalists for Miss Blossomtime – Isabella Greenman (Miss Coloma), Carsyn Franz (Miss Niles), Alyssa Wilson (Miss South Haven), Kirsten Krause (Miss Spirit), and Madisen Kozminski (Miss Stevensville) – beamed from the stage as they were asked a final question: “How has the Covid pandemic affected you in a positive way?”
Waggoner’s response prompted nods from the audience. “The Covid pandemic has affected me in a positive way because I become a more confident and valuable person of myself and I really appreciate my family in that moment because they really helped me with my confidence as well. Thank you.”
Waggoner attends Berrien Springs High School and is the daughter of Crystal and Brandon Waggoner in Buchanan. She has two siblings, Emily, 20, and Grant, 15. Her future plans include transferring to a four-year university to focus on Special Education.
Two of the judges, Kelli Pfefferman Brady and Brandy Godush Cox, were former Blossomtime queens. The remaining judge, Bret McAtee, a retired Indianapolis Police Officer, has been involved with Blossomtime for 34 consecutive years.
Waggoner was crowned by Miss Blossomtime 2020 Faith Kittleson, as the Covid-19 pandemic prevented a 2021 pageant.
First runner up was Madisen Kozminski from Stevensville, second runner up was Kirsten Krause from Berrien Springs, Miss Congeniality was Beanna Truelove from Lawrence, and People’s Choice was Stephanie DeMeulenaere from Bridgman. Nathan Hawks, from Stevensville, was crowned Mr. Blossomtime. First runner up was Jacob Trimmer from South Haven, second runner up was Wesley Seabury from Coloma, and Mr. Nice Guy was Gabe Campoli from Edwardsburg.
The biggest and oldest multi-community festival in Michigan, Blossomtime envelops the region’s sense of community and celebrates Southwest Michigan’s orchards and fruit belts. Held in spring, Blossomtime Festival unites districts. The jubilee is more than pageants and parades, though. In 2001, the Board of Directors created the Blossomtime Scholarship Fund, which plans to award over $20,000 in scholarships this year.
The Buchanan Chronicle would like to congratulate all of the contestants of Miss Blossomtime 2022 on a great night of supporting each other! We look forward to next year’s pageant.
About Miss Blossomtime: The Blossomtime Festival, established in 1906, is Michigan’s oldest and largest multi-community Festival. We hope you get to join with us in celebrating our beautiful Southwestern Michigan. The Blossomtime Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to the educational development of young people and the dissemination of information for the purpose of educating the general public as to the value and contribution of agriculture to Southwest Michigan.
For more information, their website is www.blossomtimefestival.org.
About Miss Buchanan, Inc.: Miss Buchanan Inc. was started in 1978. Every December, Miss Buchanan Inc. holds a pageant where young ladies compete for the title of Miss Buchanan and her Court of Honor. Through her year of service as Miss Buchanan, she gets opportunities to attend local community events, receives scholarship money, and represents her community in the Miss Blossomtime pageant. Miss Buchanan Inc.’s mission is to always support and encourage the young women chosen as Miss Buchanan and her Court of Honor.
For more information, their website is www.buchanan.mi.us/item/miss-buchanan-inc.html.
The Buchanan Chronicle 