BENTON HARBOR — Buchanan High School senior Maya Schuhknecht was crowned Miss Congeniality Monday night during the Miss Blossomtime scholarship pageant at Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center in Benton Harbor.

Crowned alongside her were Miss Blossomtime Olivia Ellis, of Bangor; first runner-up Claudia Moore, of Three Oaks/River Valley and second runner-up Krystin Buist, of Bridgman.

Blossomtime is an annual tradition where local queens compete for the title of Miss Blossomtime. This year, there were 23 contenders for the title. Youth who compete take part in a dance, interview with judges, answer an on-stage question and seek to display poise and grace in their gowns.

Schuhknecht Is the daughter of Michael and Jennifer Schuhknecht. She was awarded the first runner-up title in the Miss Buchanan pageant in December. After earning the title, she went on to claim the Miss Spirit title in January.

At her high school, Schuhknecht is the student council president and student body office president. She also takes part in the Herd, a Buchanan High School spirit club, varsity tennis and basketball and art and Spanish club, to name a few of her extracurricular activities. Following graduation, Schuhknecht intends to pursue a degree in graphic design and creative advertising at Michigan State University.