By Staff
BUCHANAN - Miss Buchanan Pageant, “Havin' A Party” will be held on Saturday, Jan. 7, at 7 p.m. (doors open at 6) at the Buchanan High School Auxilary Gym.
Tickets are available from the contestants for $10 each,. or at the door for $12. A Coronation Ball will follow the pageant at the American Legion. Tickets will be $5 at the door.
In the next few days we will profile the 18 candidates for the title of Miss Buchanan 2006. The first six contestants for this year's Miss Buchanan include:
Erin Martin
Contestant No. 1, Erin Martin, 17, is the daughter of Jim and Janet Martin. She has two sisters, April Freehling and Andrea Martin and a brother, James Martin.
Her activities at school include Matmaids, school-to-work program, volleyball, softball, student council and Spanish club.
Her future plans are, “to further my education at Lake Michigan College and then transfer to a university.”
She has received awards at the Berrien County Youth Fair.
Katrina Weldy
Contestant No. 2, Katrina Weldy, 17, is the daughter of Phil and Dale Weldy. She has three sisters, Tabitha, Rachelle and Brianna.
Her activities at school are tennis, volleyball, soccer, Vice President of the Student body, High School All-Stars and choir.
Katrina's future plans are, “to attend Kentucky Christian University where I will further my education.”
Her explanation for entering the contest was, “ My friends, Chenai and Anna made me.”
Laura Kulis
Contestant No. 3, Laura Kulis, 18, is the daughter of Leonard and Kathleen Kulis. She has one brother, Matt.
Her activities at school include Student Council, National Honor Society, S.A.D.D., band, cross country and volleyball.
Laura said, “I plan to attend Grand Valley State University, get my degree in Athletic training and be employed at the college level as an athletic trainer.
She is president of the 4-H club, Galien Chanters, Student Body President, Senior Class President, National Honor Society Vice-President and cross country captain.
Laura entered the contest because she watched friends throughout the years who competed in contests and whether they won or not, they always had a blast.
“It is one of those, once in a lifetime, opportunities that I just can't pass up,” she said.
Rachel Wetzel
Contestant No. 4, Rachel Wetzel, 17, is the daughter of Dale and Karen Wetzel.
She has a brother and a sister, Jon and Donna.
She currently is active in student council, Red Bud Chorale, marching band, National Honor Society and is head Matmaid for the boys wrestling team.
She was teen volunteer of the year for the We Can Ride Program and in October 2005, optimist student of the month.
Nicole Moyer
Contestant No. 5, Nicole Moyer, 17, is the daughter of Kim and Joan Moyer.
She has one brother, Jon.
Nicole is currently involved in National Honor Society, the yearbook staff, women's Varsity Tennis Team Captain, President of Math and Science Center at Andrews University and colorguard member.
She placed in regional, state, and national science fairs in 2004, was recipient of JV and Varsity letters, Class President at MSC and varsity tennis captain.
Danielle Miller
Contestant No. 6, Danielle Miller, 17, is the daughter of Thomas and Deborah Hildebrandt.
She currently is involved in band, marching, concert, pep, Redbud Chorale, drama, National Honors Society and a student representative for Curriculum Council.
Danielle's future plans are to go to college to get a doctorate in physical therapy.
She has received an academic letter, honors from National Honors Society, Regional Honors Choir and All-State at Interlochen.
Her hobbies are reading, swimming and “talking.” She entered the contest because of her pride in her community and possible college scholarships.
Ellen Siemon
Contestant No. 7, Ellen Siemon, 17, is the daughter of Bill and Lynne Siemon.
She has one sister, Mary.
Ellen is involved in cross country, wrestling Matmaid, track, National Honor Society, Ecology Club, band and pep band.
After graduating, she said, “I plan to attend either Grand Valley or Central Michigan University.”
She is Treasurer of the Galien Chanters 4-H club.
Her hobbies are raising rabbits, running, 4-H and spending time with her sister and her friends.
She entered the Miss Buchanan Contest because, “I'm involved in the community, and I thought that this would be a fun way to learn more about Buchanan and give back to the community.
Chenai Marker
Contestant No. 8, Chenai Marker, 17, is the daughter of Al and Mary Marker.
She has a brother, Branden and a sister, Lynsey.
Her school activities are: varsity softball, marching band, the Color Guard, Spanish Club, S.A.D.D. (students against drunk driving), Holiday band, drama, Festival band and Redbud Chorale.
Chenai said, “ After graduation, I plan to attend Southwestern Michigan College for two years, then go on to Western Michigan University to major in English and become a teacher.”
She received the Kenneth Gill Memorial Award for varsity softball in 2004 and 2005, most improved player for J.V. tennis the same two years, is on the Honor Roll and the All-Star program for fourth and fifth graders.
As for her hobbies, “I love to play softball, dance, sing along to the radio, volunteer at Michiana Christian Service Camp, hang out with friends and family and make random trips to Walmart.”
Holly Dunivan
Contestant No. 9, Holly Dunivan, 17, is the daughter of Donald Dunivan and Therese Secor.
Bronson is her brother and her sister is Jody.
She is currently involved in the Yearbook Staff.
After graduation: “I plan to attend SMC, then transfer to a four year college to study speech pathology.”
She received a Lakeland Fine Arts Festival award and was Freshman Winterfest Princess.
Holly said, “What helped me to decide to enter the Miss Buchanan Contest was for the experience and friendships with classmates, for a possible scholarship and to be a role model to peers, classmates and younger children.”
Jaymi Fuller
Contestant No. 10, Jaymi Fuller, 17, is the daughter of Lisa Garmire.
She has one brother, Colin.
She is involved in the marching band and the Color Guard.
Jaymi said of her future, “I plan on going to Grand Valley State University and study medicine.”
She has been on the Honor Roll each year of High School, Captain of Color Guard and received an award in Concert Band.
Her hobbies are Color Guard, babysitting, talking on the phone and the computer.
She entered Miss Buchanan Contest because, “ I wanted to get involved my Senior year and I thought it would be a great experience.”
Anna Ferris
Contestant No. 11, Anna Ferris, 17, is the daughter of Danny and Jenny Ferris.
She has two brothers, Brian Balog and Daniel Ferris. Her sister is Denise Edwell.
Her activities at school involve drama, Spanish Club, co-section leader in marching and concert band, tennis, soccer and choir.
She said that after she graduates, “ I'm accepted to Kentucky Christian University for the fall of 2006 where I'll major in either social work or cross-cultural missions.”
Anna was Homecoming Queen of 2005, selected to go to Lakeland Fine Arts Festival for band and drama and All Stars.
Her hobbies are, “hanging out at Walmart, Wendy's and Taco Bell with friends, cooking, baking, crocheting and of course cheering for the best team ever!”
Asked why she entered the contest, she said, “I decided to enter the contest because of my mother, friends and the fun that I'll have just doing the pageant. And who could forget the scholarships.”
Katrina DeRossi
Contestant No. 12, Katrina DeRossi, 18, is the daughter of Jeff and Sharon Robbins.
Her brothers are Erik and Tony and she has three sisters, Nina, Nichole and Brittany.
She is involved in band, cheerleading, soccer, the Ecology Club and S.A.D.D.
Katrina said of her future plans, “I plan to go to Ivy Tech, then get transferred to Purdue University and to become an accountant.
She is the Captain of the cheerleading squad.
Her hobbies include collecting Tinkerbell items, hats and shoes.
She said she entered the contest because, “ My family has faith in me and encouraged me to do it because I was thinking about it and they have confidence in me.”
Leteshia Shannon
Contestant No. 13, Leteshia Shannon, 18, is the daughter of Veronica Haynes.
Her two sisters are Zariah Haynes and Unique Hinds.
Activities she is currently involved in are track, softball, Student Council and helping with choir.
Leteshia said of her future, “I plan on attending K.V.C.C. to get my basics, then transfer to Western to be a coach/massage therapy.”
She has received recognition as a church helper and the HOBY leadership program.
Of her hobbies, she said, “I love helping little kids and having fun with my friends. And going shoe shopping.”
She decided to enter the Miss Buchanan Contest because she has always wanted the chance to help represent her community the best way she can and to have fun with her senior classmates one last time.
Angela Cook
Contestant No. 14, Angela Cook, 18, is the daughter of Aaron and Christine Cook.
Her brother is Jonathan and her sister is Alicia Monteiro.
Currently she is involved in the band as a trumpet player and also attends the Professional Health Careers Academy.
After graduating, she said, “I plan to attend LMC for two years and then transfer to a University to further study nursing.”
Angela was chosen to be a student at the PHCA which is a very selective process. She has also received numerous band awards.
She said of her hobbies, “I love to read, write and draw. Arts and crafts of various sorts also are enjoyable to me.”
She entered the Miss Buchanan Contest because, “I would like to be more involved in the community. This is also my last year of high school and I would like to make it as memorable as possible.”
Tracey Wreggelsworth
Contestant No.15, Tracey Wreggelsworth, 17, is the daughter of Fred and Anna Wreggelsworth.
She has one brother, Matt and three sisters, Racheal, Tami and Jenny.
She is involved in Student Council and Redbud Chorale.
Tracey said, of her plans after graduating, “To go to college for a degree in Elementary Education.”
She was awarded perfect attendance for the years of 2002 and 2003.
Her hobbies are reading, shopping, listening to music, hanging with friends and working with kids.
When asked why she entered the contest, she said, “My sister did it and won while having fun. So, I think that it would just be really fun to hang out with my classmate girls.”
Callie Baumgart
Contestant No. 16, Callie Baumgart, 17, is the daughter of Chad and Deborah Baumgart.
She has a brother and sister, Cade and Sacha.
Previously, she's been involved in soccer, choir, Prom Committee and the Homecoming Float.
When asked of her future plans, she said, “Attend a college or university to major in physical therapy and minor in athletic training.”
Callie gained recognition for participating in Lakeland Conference-Fine Arts Conference.
Her hobbies are snowmobiling, shopping, coaching soccer for a team of 5 year-olds, spending time with her family and working with special needs children.
She entered the Miss Buchanan Contest because of her family as well as a personal goal to compete in the pageant.
Rebecca Ritter
Contestant No. 17, Rebecca Ritter, 17, is the daughter of Todd and Carol Ritter.
She has one sister, Sarah.
For four years, she has been the Feature Twirler for the marching band and a member of the Holiday band. She is also a member of her youth group.
When asked of her future, she said, “I am planning on attending either Albion or Hope college to major in Journalism and minor in dance.”
Rebecca has won numerous award in Baton Twirling including state titles and received a silver award in Girl Scouts.
Her hobbies are dancing (ballet, jazz, twirling), teaching younger girls baton, writing and hanging out with friends and family.
Rebecca said she entered the contest because, “I have heard all the girls from the past years tell stories about how great of an experience it was to go out for Miss Buchanan. I also watched Miss Blossomtime pageants and they look like they would be a fun and exciting experience.”
Heather Coger
Contestant No. 18, Heather Coger, 17, is the daughter of Richard and Joan Coger.
She has one brother, Rick.
She is currently involved in marching and Holiday band and the National Honor Society.
Her plans after graduating: “I plan to attend Lake Michigan College for two years, then transfer to Michigan State University to study Veterinary practice.”
Heather has received both Merit awards for the MEAP.
Her hobbies include reading, writing poetry, riding horses, talking on the computer, movies and hanging out with friends.
When asked why she entered the Miss Buchanan Contest, she said, “I entered last year, and friends and family have encouraged me to go out for it again because I had a lot of fun and it was also a great experience.”