Southwest Michigan was bursting with royalty this weekend, as multiple thrones were filled with the crowning of the Bud Prince and Princess, Miss Jr. Teen, Miss Teen, Mr. Heart, and Miss Heart on Sunday February 27th.
The Lakeshore High School Auditorium hosted the “Once Upon A Time” themed pageant for the Bud Prince and Princess and Miss Junior Teen, where thirty-five youth between the ages of six and twelve competed for the current reign.
The Blossomtime Festival Bud Prince, Princess, and Jr. Teen pageant is a time-honored tradition that began in the 1930s. These young titleholders will take on an active role in the Blossomtime Festival by serving as Grand Marshals of the Youth Parade, and riding the float in the Blossomtime Grand Floral Parade that will take place this year on Saturday, May 14th.
Throughout the year, this young court will also attend the Coronation Ball, the Blessing of the Blossoms, and many other community pageants. The Miss Blossomtime Pageant takes the stage on April 25th, 2022. The court is as follows:
Bud Princess – Lexington Schultz, of St. Joseph
9 years old – Roosevelt Elementary
Parents – Stacie Magrane & Christopher Schultz
Enjoys playing soccer, volleyball and singing and acting in plays.
Bud Princess 1st Runner-up – Caylan Gatties, of Eau Claire
6 years old – Watervliet South School
Parents – Alicia & Dylan Gatties
Enjoys doing art projects, playing Barbies with her mom and going on nature walks.
Bud Princess 2nd Runner-up – Emberly Russell, of Bangor
8 years old – Homeschool
Parents – Stefanie & Andrew Russell
Enjoys playing soccer, drawing and going to the beach.
Bud Prince – Gibson Jacobs, of Coloma
7 years old – Homeschool
Parents – Loretta & Tony Jacobs
Enjoys playing football, surfing and sledding.
Bud Prince 1st Runner-Up – Cameron Johns, of St. Joseph
8 years old – Brown School Elementary
Parents – Mandi & Jason Johns
Enjoys math, playing board games and reading.
Bud Prince 2nd Runner-Up – Branch Jarvis, of St. Joseph
8 years old – E.P. Clarke
Parent – Kelsey & Todd Jarvis
Enjoys camping, fishing and playing football.
Miss Jr. Teen Blossomtime – Meilah Mitchell, of Berrien Springs
12 years old – Berrien Springs Middle School
Parents – Lindsey & Stephan Mitchell
Participates in competitive gymnastics and advanced tumbling, volleyball and choir.
Miss Jr. Teen Blossomtime 1st Runner-up – Karsyn Jacobs, of Coloma
12 years old – Coloma Jr High
Parents – Loretta & Tony Jacobs
Participates in Student Council, softball and volleyball.
Miss Jr. Teen Blossomtime 2nd Runner-up – Ava Miranda, of Berrien Springs
12 years old – Berrien Springs Middle School
Parents – Erika & Glen Lemon
Participates in volleyball, choir and soccer
Eleven contestants competed for the title of Miss Teen Blossomtime, ranging from ages thirteen to fifteen. The theme of Miss Teen was “Crowns, Carousels, and Communities”, and the crowned court is:
Miss Teen Blossomtime 2022 – Leiah Seawood
Leiah is a sophomore at St. Joseph High School and participates in Yoga Club, Co-Ed Women’s Ensemble and Theater Club. Leiah has received 2 Varsity letters in Cheer and track and field and an award for the National Society of High School Scholars. Leiah is the daughter of Tamika and Leonard Seawood of Benton Harbor, MI.
1st Runner-Up to Miss Teen Blossomtime 2022 – Peighton Mooney, daughter of Michele and Wesley Mooney of Stevensville, MI.
2nd Runner-Up to Miss Teen Blossomtime 2022 – Ariah Evans, daughter of Kimberly and Adam Evans of Marcellus, MI.
Miss Congeniality Teen Blossomtime 2022 – Aribel Mills, daughter of Nicole and Dan Mills of Benton Harbor, MI.
Miss Teen Blossomtime Court, 2022
Also crowned this weekend was Miss Heart 2022, which offers communities that do not host a hometown pageant to be represented in one combined event. Miss Heart has existed since 1992, and includes communities like Paw Paw, Fennville, Lawton, Decatur, Dowagiac, Marcellus, Three Rivers, and Covert. On Sunday, February 27th, crowns were awarded to:
Miss Heart 2022 – Taylor Palmer of Dowagiac
She is currently a freshman at St. Mary’s College, majoring in Dance and Political Science on a pre-law track with a minor in Social Work. After graduation, she plans to attend Columbia University School of Law in New York, in hopes to one day become a US Supreme Court Justice. Taylor is a part of the St. Mary’s cheerleading team, the Investment Club, and Women in Law club at Notre Dame. Tayor is the daughter of Sara and Scott Palmer of Dowagiac, MI
Miss Heart 1st Runner-Up: Abigail Voss from Marcellus. Abigail is currently a senior at Marcellus High School, and after graduating, she plans to earn a bachelor’s degree with a double major in Special Education and Elementary Education from Grand Valley State University. She is Vice President of the National Honor Society and Student Council, and is involved in marching band, Orchestra Band, Jazz Band, and Science Olympiad. Abigail is the daughter of DeAnn Voss and the late Michael Voss of Marcellus, MI.
Miss Heart 2nd Runner-Up: Gabrielle Munson of Dowagiac. She currently attends Grand Valley State University where she is studying Computer Science and Art. Gabrielle received the Academic Award of Excellence all throughout high school. She recently joined an improv group and is a member of the Circle K. Gabrielle is the daughter of Stephanie and Harold Munson of Dowagiac, MI.
Mr. Heart: Artemio Garcia Jr. of Paw Paw. He is a senior at Paw Paw High School and plans to attend Grand Valley State University to pursue a degree in Political Science, and minor in Business Administration. Artemio is ranked in the top 10 of his senior class and holds a 4.16 GPA. He is a member of Student Council, Marching Band, plays Varsity soccer, and is the Vice President of the Cultural Ethnic Appreciation Council. Artemio is the son of Nereida Leon and Artemio Garcia of Paw Paw, MI.
Miss Heart Court, 2022
Congratulations to all royalty in our area!
