By By JOHN EBY / Niles Daily Star
BENTON HARBOR - Cass County's two queens, Miss Cassopolis Anjel Francisco and Miss Edwardsburg Susanna Martino, each won a Showcase Sunday night.
Miss Bridgman Diana Klemp was the only one of the 23 community queens to win twice, for most photogenic and for communication, with Susanna and Miss New Buffalo Codi Gropp.
Susanna's commercial featured her dressed as a life-size Michigan mitten, tapping herself with a pointer to locate various cities.
Anjel was one of three modeling winners along with Miss Benton Harbor Dawntayia Sims and Miss Galien Monica Groen.
Also winning photogenic awards were Miss Stevensville Jenna Thomas and Miss Heart of Blossomtime Ashley Beeching of Lawrence, who was crowned in Dowagiac on Dec. 11.
The Showcase of Queens shares the LMC Mainstage with Mr. Blossomtime. Different judges decide tonight's 74th Miss Blossomtime
In the 10th annual Mr. Blossomtime contest, Justin Matthew Gargus of Bangor was chosen Sunday evening. He is the son of Kimberly and Christopher. He wants to attend Michigan State University or Hope College and continue on to graduate school to pursue a medicine degree.
First runner-up is Sam Lewald of Stevensville. He is the son of Joy and Norbert Lewald.
Larry Simpson of Niles/Brandywine, Andre Coleman and Joshua James of Benton Harbor, Morris Bullocks of Cassopolis, Taylor Kubiszak of Lawrence (Heart of Blossomtime) and Josh Hoadley of Watervliet made the final 10 after two silent eliminations.