By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Edwardsburg Argus
EDWARDSBURG – "I would highly recommend being crowned Miss Edwardsburg," said Abigail "Abby" Diane Campanaro, contestant number 14 on Sunday evening. She glowed on receiving flowers, teddy bears and gifts, along with being chosen Miss Congeniality by the other 13 contestants.
Campanaro, 17, the daughter of Brant and Gail Campanaro, is a senior at Edwardsburg High School, where she is in National Honor Society, color guard captain and participates in the Lakeland Fine Arts Festival. She is also a 4-H president and was a state qualifier for 4-H and band.
The 5' 8 inch 2007 queen chose a gown of blue, as did two of the other seven finalists.
The Chelsie Lyne Baucus and Debbie Knox scholarships she received will help with her plans on attending Western Michigan University or Ferris to major in business.
Her court includes first runner-up and Miss Entrepreneur Bethany Marshke, second runner-up Emily Kendall, third runner-up Brittany Duncan, fourth runner-up Caitlyn Wade. The other two finalists were Alicia McClain and Katie Boyles, who received the Angel Martino-Horrall Scholarship.
Named Mr. Edwardsburg was Floyd Warren, Seth Councell claimed Mr. Nice Guy and first runner-up Mr. Edwardsburg and Mr. Entrepreneur.
Mr. Edwardsburg Prince and Mr. Entrepreneur for 2007 will be Anthony Potter, 8, a third grader and the son of Mack and Rashonda Clark.
Miss Edwardsburg Princess is Kylee Pinkston.
The 14 contestants for Miss Edwardsburg 2007 took the packed auditorium on a trip of memories of the past 50 years, through the words of people they interviewed, from Elvis Presley to present day.
Nearly all the seven finalists chose the terrorism and destruction of the twin towers of the New York Trade Center, as the answer to "What is the most memorable event in the last 50 years?" Two though, remembered Rosa Parks stand for her rights to keep her seat on the bus.
The more than 25 past queens who attended this year's pageant received a candle and spoke on their favorite memory of the year they were crowned, from the very first Miss Edwardsburg in 1957. Ellen (Onstott) Krueger said the pageant was the "best thing which ever happened … and helped me be who I am."
The 1966 queen, Sharon (Dunning) Harris recalled when her eldest daughter was crowned 20 years later, and her youngest a few years after that.
The queen crowned by Harris, Carol (Bigelow) Bourne, said the question she answered was why 18-year-olds should get to vote. Now she advocates young people to exercise that right.
Many former queens felt the Tour of the Cities, including Donna (Magner) Henderson,1977, Christina (Cummins) Palmer, 1979, Darla (Magner) Miller, 1981, and Franci (Lee) Boveri, 1984, was their favorite part of representing Edwardsburg.
Most would probably agree with 1988 Miss Edwardsburg, Betsy (Cox) Tavernier, "it seems like yesterday."
Former chairman and committee members were also given a moment to appear on stage and recall the rehearsals. Mary Margaret Morse remembers having to beg to get contestants.
Tammy (Teter) Boyer and Tonya Teter-Hans co-chairpersons, introduced Mr. Edwardsburg in 2002 and the Prince and Princess in 2004.
Boyer was thrilled at the number of past queens who traveled from as far as California and Florida to attend the anniversary. Only one fifth of the past queens are still in the area, Boyer said. Three are deceased. Teter-Hans was able to located all but four past queens.
Judging the contest were Diana Burge, owner of Dee's Hair Design Studio of Niles; Sharon Prestine, of Niles, who is a a certified Miss America judge and Rick Palmisano, funeral director at Halbritter Funeral Home, Niles.