Nicole Bender Miss Watervliet 2024 crowned Queen and Miss Congeniality
1st Runner-Up Lauren Laws
2nd Runner-Up Kennedy Wheeler
Mr. Watervliet Grayson Richards
2024 WATERVLIET ROYALTY… (from the left) Miss Watervliet 1st Runner-Up Lauren Laws, Miss Watervliet and Miss Congeniality Nicole Bender, Mr. Watervliet Grayson Richards, and Miss Watervliet 2nd Runner-Up Kennedy Wheeler were crowned Watervliet’s 2024 Blossomtime Royalty Saturday evening, Jan. 6 in front of a packed auditorium at Watervliet High School. As part of the entertainment, Reagan Hafer, Little Miss Firecracker 2023, and Henry Miller, Little Mr. Firecracker join the “big kids” on stage with an adorable tap number to “On The Good Ship Lollypop.”
Photo insert in lower right corner shows the moment that Nicole Bender, also the new Miss Congeniality, is surprised with the Miss Watervliet 2024 crowning by Miss Watervliet 2023, Natalie Hart. (Photos by Tayler Morris with Picture This Photography)
The Watervliet Pageant Organization held their 2024 Pageant in the Watervliet Public Schools Auditorium on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. The house was full of supporters for the 2024 hopefuls and so many visiting Blossomtime Royalty with their sashes, crowns, and brilliant wardrobe.
2024 Miss and Mr. Watervliet Scholarship Pageant
Blossomtime Festival’s 2024 theme was announced earlier this year; “Where Every Day is a Holiday.” The Watervliet Pageant Organization created their theme around National Chocolate Day, which is celebrated on October 28. They used this holiday to bring the theme of “Miss Watervliet and the Chocolate Factory” to life.
Miss Watervliet 2024 & Miss Congeniality 2024
On Saturday, Watervliet High School student Nicole Bender was first crowned Miss Congeniality, and as a young lady can hold the Miss Congeniality title concurrent with another title, was later crowned Miss Watervliet 2024. It was a very exciting moment as Nicole Bender was very surprised and taken aback by the Miss Watervliet crowning after receiving Miss Congeniality.
Bender is a junior at Watervliet High School and is the daughter of Nuris Weckwerth and Chris Bender. Participating in National Honor Society and Volleyball for her high school career, she has even earned Varsity Volleyball Defensive MVP 2021. The new Miss Watervliet also spends time helping the school community out as a Student Council Member, with the Girls Basketball Team as Manager, the Drama Club, and is a certified Scuba Diver. After high school Bender plans to go to a university to study Law.
Mr. Watervliet 2024
Grayson Richards was crowned Mr. Watervliet 2024 on Saturday. Although Richards was running unopposed, he did not get a break from any of the rigorous pageant preparation that was expected of the other contestants. In fact, he may have been on stage more times than the ladies because he helped Mr. Watervliet 2023, Royce Daugherty, with escorting them out to the stage numerous times as well.
Richards is a junior at Watervliet High School and the son of Eric and Natalkka Richards. He has earned his varsity letter for Track and Cross-Country, also medaling in Cross-Country. Richards was one of the athletes that participated in the fall decorating downtown. He was even an extra in the upcoming movie “Bad Hair,” filmed in Kalamazoo. After high school Richards plans to become a linesman, in the electrical trade.
1st Runner-Up to Miss Watervliet
Lauren Laws was crowned Miss Watervliet 1st Runner-Up for 2024. She is a senior at Watervliet High School and is the daughter of Eric and Angie Laws.
Participating athletically in Volleyball and Basketball, Laws has an extensive community service background. Some of her community service has taken place on the Watervliet school grounds such as in the sports camps, as a freshman mentor and on Field Day for the elementary students. More of her volunteerism has been spent with the Michiana Camp, TEAM Berrien County, where Laws is the Vice President of the Berrien County Community Foundation TEAM, and at the Therapeutic Equestrian Center.
Laws also holds a leadership office with the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, is a State Representative for HOBY Leadership Foundation, is a National Honor Society Member, on the Lake Michigan College All USA Academic Team and has achieved Student of the Month. Additionally, she has made Principal’s List of the Honor Roll every marking period and has Academic Excellence in all subjects. After graduating, Laws plans to attend the University of Tennessee and major in Accounting.
2nd Runner-Up to Miss Watervliet
Kennedy Wheeler was crowned 2nd Runner-up to Miss Watervliet 2024 on Saturday. She is a junior at Watervliet High School and the daughter of John and Jessica Wheeler.
Wheeler was crowned Miss Teen Coloma 2022 and is an Honorary Citizen of Coloma Charter Township. In the classroom Wheeler has earned the awards of Honor Roll, Academic Excellence in English, as well as taking part in Spanish Club, Yearbook Club, AP courses and being Dual Enrolled at Lake Michigan College. Volunteering for many causes Wheeler has helped with the SPCA Charity 5k, Rake-a-Difference, the Rod & Gun Club Trunk-or-Treat, Veterans Breakfast, the Before School Program, Angel Tree Charity, and during the Glad-Peach Festival.
After high school, Wheeler plans to attend Michigan State University to major in Neuroscience, with her sights set on becoming a Vascular Neurologist.
Fellow contestants
There were seven contestants vying for crowns on Saturday night and while there were some contestants who did not receive a crown, they all held many, many personal merits.
Amya Harvell, Senior at Watervliet High School is the daughter of Crystal Cartwright. She was previously crowned 1st Runner-Up Teen Miss Community Pageant in 2019 and 1st Runner-Up Snow Princess 2017.
Lydia Koshar, Senior at Watervliet High School, daughter of Kristin Koshar and Joseph Koshar received the Award for Most Ads Sold for the 2024 Miss Watervliet Pageant.
Lauren Lovell, Senior at Watervliet High School, daughter of John and Amy Lovell sang the National Anthem at the Watervliet Memorial Day Ceremony.
Ayana Marshall, Junior at Watervliet High School, daughter of Michelle and Justin Scheetz is a two-time State Qualifier in women’s wrestling.
Hart sisters make special moment of history again
The Hart sisters of Watervliet were part of a very special piece of Blossomtime history in 2023, as one of a few sets of sister to crown sister the following year. This year, Hanna Hart, Miss Watervliet 2022 was able to present her sister Natalie Hart, Miss Watervliet 2023, with the Southwest Michigan Blossom Queen’s Sorority Pin for her sash. This pin and honor is reserved for the Southwest Michigan Blossomtime Queens who successfully complete their year of reign and service.
Blossomtime events 2024
The Blossomtime Festival is a beautiful and busy time of year in Southwest Michigan. The following are the remaining events in the Blossomtime lineup which are open to the public:
January 20, 2024 – Miss Spirit of Blossomtime Pageant, 5:00 p.m., St Joseph High School Auditorium
April 12, 2024 – Blossomtime Fashion Show, time not yet determined, Lake Michigan College Mendel Center
April 14, 2024 – Mr. Blossomtime & Showcase of Queens, 6:30 p.m., LMC Mendel Center
April 15, 2024 – 2024 Miss Blossomtime Pageant, 7:00 p.m., LMC Mendel Center
April 26, 2024 – Coronation Ball, 7:00 p.m., LMC Mendel Center
May 3, 2024 – Youth Coronation Ball, time not yet determined, Shadowland Ballroom
May 4, 2024 – Blossomtime Youth Parade, 12:00 p.m. start, Lake Boulevard, St Joseph
May 5, 2024 – Blessings of the Blossoms, 2:00 p.m., Southwest Michigan Research & Extension Center, 1791 Hillandale Road, Benton Harbor
May 11, 2024 – 45th Annual Blossomtime Run for the Buds 5k Run/Walk, 10:30 a.m., 715 Ship St., near the St. Joseph Post Office.
May 11, 2024 – Grand Floral Parade, 1:00 p.m. start, downtown St. Joseph and Benton Harbor
May 14, 2024 – Keys to the Cities/ Mayors Banquet, 6:00 p.m., Shadowland Ballroom.
Many of these events are free to the public, but all information on the events, locations, tickets or pricing is available through the Blossomtime Office at (269) 982-8016 or on their website at www.blossomtimefestival.org.
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