Saving best for last, Contestant 16 Madelyn Bretschneider won the third Miss Pre-Teen Edwardsburg crown at the Performing Arts Center Saturday.
Fifteen girls competed. There was no No. 12 in the “Jumanji” pageant co-directed by sisters Tamara Boyer and Tonya Teter-Hans.
Madelyn, 10, attends fifth grade at Edwardsburg Intermediate School.
The saxophonist has three sisters and a brother and is the youngest. She participated in cheerleading, 2009-2011, and gymnastics. Her hobbies revolve around crafts, including scrapbooking. Madelyn enjoys 4-H and animals.
“I wanted to go out for this really badly,” she said afterward. “I’m looking forward to community service and going to Lansing. I like to go to animal shelters. They let you walk the dogs and play with them.” Her pets include a rabbit and a dog.
In her spare time, “I like to read and to hang out with my friends,” Madelyn said.
Madelyn has won 16 reading goal awards in her academic career.
She was also a first-place rabbit shower at the Cass County Fair.
In three words, she’s outgoing, daring and courageous.
As no boys went out for Mr. Pre-Teen Edwardsburg, Collin Esarey’s 2011 reign will be extended.
Emerson Edman received Miss Entrepreneur as top fundraiser in the pageant.
Marissa Mather was voted the People’s Choice during intermission.
Madelyn’s court is composed of First Runner-up Brooke Allen, Second Runner-up Makayla McKenzie, Third Runner-up Stesha Kiefer and Fourth Runner-up Carlee Burger.
Also competing were Kattlyn Hotrum, Elizabeth Neuerburg, Allison Rakowski, Isabelle Closson, Brittney McCord, Courtney Leach, Nicole Byrd and Courtney VanBelle.
Miss Kathy’s School of Dance of Niles, Dowagiac and Decatur provided entertainment.
Judges included 2002 Miss Cassopolis, the former Heather Hass of Portage, who lived in Montana after graduating from Calvin College; and Dowagiac Union High School graduate the former Emily Westendorp of Niles. She teaches English and reading at Berrien Springs High School and coaches cheerleading at Brandywine High School. She was 2003 Cass County Fair queen and Michigan Apple Queen runner-up in 2005.
The third judge, Deb Trout, is compliance director for Allegan County Community Mental Health Services, where she has been employed for 34 years.