BLOSSOMTIME 2017 BUD & JR TEEN ROYALTY… were crowned during a pageant on Saturday, October 1 held at St. Joseph High School Auditorium. Pictured are back row (from the left): Jr. Teen 1st Runner-up, Ryann Kragt; Miss Jr. Teen Blossomtime, Amelia Selir; and Jr. Teen 2nd Runner-up, Grace Larsen. Front row (from the left) Bud Prince 1st Runner-up, Eli Kelley; Bud Prince 3rd Runner-up, Mason Smith; Bud Princess, Zoey Rickman; Bud Prince, Ethan Schelling; Bud Princess 1st Runner-up, Taylor Truman; Bud Princess 2nd Runner-up, Bella Costanza; and Bud Prince 2nd Runner-up, Brayden Miller.

Tri-City youngsters crowned in Blossomtime 2017 Bud & Jr Teen Pageants

 Thirty-nine children between the ages of six and 12 competed Saturday, October 1 for the titles of Blossomtime Bud Prince & Princess and Miss Jr. Teen Blossomtime. The pageant was held at the St. Joseph High School Auditorium.  Tying into the 2017 Blossomtime Theme; “If it starts with ‘B’, it must be Blossomtime”, the contestants performed a dance choreographed by Cammie Hernandez of Connie Cassidy School of Dance to the song “Boot Scootin’ Boogie”.  Pageant Chairman DeAnn Zindler once again created a beautiful stage and show.  The pageant was emceed by Lindsay Zvonar from Mid-West Family broadcasting.  The Blossomtime Festival Bud Prince and Princess and Jr. Teen will take an active role in the Festival by serving as Grand Marshals of the Youth Parade and Shoe Box Parade, riding on the Bud Prince & Princess/Jr. Teen Float in the Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade on Saturday, May 6, 2017 and will participate in many other Blossomtime events, including the Coronation Ball, the Blessing of the Blossoms, Doggies in Tiaras, attending many community pageants and being introduced on stage at the Miss Blossomtime Pageant March 13, 2017.  Chosen for this year’s Bud Princess is Zoey Rickman, 6, from Watervliet. Zoey is the daughter of Joshua and Shannon Rickman and attends Coloma Elementary. She enjoys going to the beach, arts and crafts, dance, and acrobats.    Taylor Truman was chosen as Bud Princess 1st Runner-up. She is an 8 year old student at EP Clarke Elementary in St. Joseph and resides in Benton Harbor. Her parents are Joe and Jackie Truman. Taylor enjoys going on trips, gymnastics, and riding her horse.  Bud Princess 2nd Runner-Up is Isabella Costanza from Sodus. She is a 7 year old student at EP Clarke Elementary, St. Joseph. Her parents are Todd and Lori Costanza. Isabella enjoys having sleepovers, going on vacation, arts and crafts, writing real life stories, kayaking and tubing.  Chosen for this year’s Bud Prince is Ethan Schelling, 7, from Coloma. Ethan is the son of Angela Schelling and attends Coloma Elementary. He enjoys watching movies, playing sports, board games and video games, snowball fights and camping.  Eli Kelley was chosen as Bud Prince 1st Runner-Up. He is a 9 year old student at EP Clarke Elementary in St. Joseph and resides in Benton Harbor. His parents are Sarah and Jason Kelley. Eli enjoys playing outside, going on trips, fishing, drawing, watching movies, and learning to play music.  Bud Prince 2nd Runner-Up is Brayden Miller from Benton Harbor. He is a 6 year old student at Bridgman Elementary School. His parents are Jordan and Andrew Miller. Brayden enjoys playing catch, soccer, drawing, and riding bikes.  Chosen for Bud Prince 3rd Runner-Up is Mason Smith, 8, of Watervliet. Mason attends Watervliet Elementary School and his parents are Charles and Amber Smith. He enjoys playing outside, doing yard work, rocket football, participating in 4-H, hunting, fishing, and taking care of animals.   Miss Jr. Teen Blossomtime 2017 is Amelia Selir from New Buffalo. Amelia is 11 years old and attends New Buffalo Middle School. Her parents are Jim and Diana Selir. She participates in student council, gymnastics and softball, and enjoys reading, doodling and volleyball.  Chosen Miss Jr. Teen Blossomtime 1st Runner-up is Ryann Kragt. She is 10 years old, lives in St. Joseph and attends Lincoln Elementary. Ryann’s parents are Tim and Kim Kragt. She participates in dance, Gems, and safety patrol. Ryann enjoys reading, track and learning about local history.  Grace Larsen, 11, is Miss Jr. Teen Blossomtime 2nd Runner-up. She lives in Coloma and attends Upton Middle School, St. Joseph. Her parents are Brian and Shannon Larsen. Grace participates in sideline cheer, competitive cheer, dance and poms, and gymnastics. She enjoys volunteering, drawing, and spending time with family.