This year is the 49th Annual Marshall County Blueberry Festival. The theme is “Heroes Among Us.” On Saturday, June 27th, the first official event of the festival will be the crowning of the new 2015 Miss Blueberry. A total of 22 young ladies from throughout Marshall County will vie for the crown.
The contestants have had a busy two weeks prior to the pageant. They had dance rehearsals, a Community Service night with a visit to the residents of the Miller’s Senor Living Community, and a Pizza party to relax prior to a dress rehearsal.
On the morning of the pageant, the contestants will have a personal interview with the panel of Judges. This same panel of Judges will evaluate the contestants in Evening wear and Theme wear during the on stage portion of the contest in the evening. In keeping with the theme each contestant is asked to appear in theme wear which represents their favorite hero.
The 2015 Miss Blueberry will receive a $1250.00 Scholarship, a Crown, Cut Glass Bowl, Blueberry Necklace, and a Portrait. The 1st Runner up will receive a $750.00 Scholarship and a Cut Glass Bowl. The 2nd Runner up will receive a $500.00 Scholarship and a Cut Glass Bowl. Miss Friendship, chosen by the contestants, will receive a $100 cash award and a Heart Shaped Cut Glass Bowl. The Queen and Runners up will represent the festival at several parades throughout the summer as well as various activities during the Festival.
The pageant will again be held at Argos High School Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 27th. The cost is $5.00, with children 10 and under free. The public is invited and encouraged to come and support all of the contestants as they reach for the “Crown”.
Following is a list of the Queen contestants:
Emily Lauren Gadziola is the 18 year old daughter of Bruce and Delia Gadziola of Plymouth. She has one sibling, Ryan, is a 2015 graduate of Plymouth High School and will be attending Ball State University in the fall, majoring in Kinesiology and Spanish. While in high school she was a member of AFS, Key Club, L.E.A.D., Student Council, Riley Dance Marathon, Speech Team, and was the boys Tennis team manager. She participated in Tennis and is employed at Ponderosa Steakhouse as a cashier. Emily’s favorite part of the Blueberry Festival is the fireworks. They put so much work into making them perfect and she just sits on the field in complete awe of how pretty they are.
Hannah is the 17 year old daughter of Mike DeMont and Tony and Jennifer Ross. She has one sibling, Lauren. She will be a senior at Plymouth High School in the fall. Eventually she would like to attend college and major in Interior Design and Architecture. While attending PHS she has belonged to the Sunshine Club and Soccer Team. She participates on the Argos Soccer Travel Team and is a member of her church youth group. She works at the Plymouth Dairy Queen. She enjoys drawing and design. Hannah has shown artwork in the Tri Kappa Art Show. Hannah’s favorite part of the Blueberry Festival is of course the food. Also, on a serious note she enjoys having her family come together for her cousin’s T-ball/baseball tournaments.
Alexie KayAnne Meister is the 18 year old daughter of Kurt and Kristi Meister of Bremen. She has two siblings, Kenzie and Kallie. She is a 2015 graduate of Bremen High School and will be attending IUPUI in the fall, majoring in Nursing or Radiology. While in high school she was a member of the National Honors Society, B-Club, Student Council, Community Service, DECA, 4-H, and Peer Mentoring. She participated in Volleyball, Basketball, and Track. Alexie enjoys showing beef and swine at the Marshall County 4-H Fair. She is a ten year 4-H member. She also likes spending time and making memories with family and friends that includes baking and gardening with her grandma and great-grandma, helping her dad on the farm, 4 wheeling, and camping. Her favorite part of the Blueberry Festival is definitely the fireworks. She has always loved going to the fireworks and it has become a tradition within her family.
Shannon Kathleen Stephenson is the 18 year old daughter of Dan and Colleen Stephenson of Argos. She has two siblings, Meghan and Danny. She will be a senior at Plymouth High School this fall. Eventually she would like to attend college and major in Construction Management/OSHA Safety. In high school she is a member of Student Council, Sunshine Society, Pep Club, and L.E.A.D. Club. She participates in basketball and track. During summer months she is active in the Glenn Summer Basketball League, Plymouth Summer Basketball League and enjoys barrel racing. Her hobbies include running, hiking, four wheeling, horseback riding, skeet shooting, dancing, farming and baling hay. Shannon’s favorite part of the Blueberry Festival is the buzz and energy it brings to our community. It’s so exciting to host a huge and nationally known festival. She is glad to be part of it!
Athena Blevins is the 19 year old daughter of Kendra Peterson and Dusty Blevins of Argos. She has two siblings, Riley and Loren. She has just completed her freshman year at the University of Indianapolis, majoring in Psychology and Pre-Occupational Therapy. She belongs to the UIndy for Riley and enjoys, dancing, photography, running, and painting. Athena’s favorite part of the Blueberry Festival is the fireworks because they are different and more extravagant each year. She says you never know what to expect and is surprised each year.
Selena Andrade is the 18 year old daughter of Juan and Gregoria Andrade of Bremen. She has one sibling, Juan Carlos. She is a 2015 graduate of Bremen High School and plans to attend Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in the fall. At Bremen she was a member of Key Club, Spanish Club, Awaken Compassionate Teens, Art Club, B-Club, DECA, National Honors Society, the Women’s Choral Ensemble, and a participant in the Distinguished Young Woman Pageant. Sports she participated in were Bremen Soccer and Indoor Soccer. Activities she enjoys are singing, dancing, playing guitar, playing piano, helping people, and spending time with family. Selena’s favorite part of the Blueberry Festival is the fireworks, because they light up the sky with beautiful colors.
Mayce Adel Lewandowski is the 19 year old daughter of Mitchell and Becky Lewandowski of Plymouth. She has three siblings, Chase, Presley, and Hayle. She just completed her freshman year at Purdue, majoring in Elementary Education. At Purdue she is involved in Food Finders Food Bank, a member of Glenwood Cooperative, and participates in intramural inner tube water polo and softball. Her hobbies include drawing, painting, reading, spending time outside, and being around family. The Blueberry Festival parade is Mayce’s favorite part of the Blueberry Festival because she gets to spend time with her family and friends watching our community come together. She takes pride in the many aspects and organizations within Marshall County.
Emilie Nicole Rospopo is the 19 year old daughter of Christy and Rich Rospopo of Plymouth. She has two siblings, Ally and Valerie. Having just completed her freshman year in college, she will be returning to Ball State University majoring in Elementary Education with a concentration in math. At Ball State she belongs to Epsilon Sigma Alpha Community Service Sorority and Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship. She enjoys volunteering, spending time with her family and friends, being outside and riding horses. Emilie’s favorite part of the festival is the parade. Everybody gets the opportunity to display the things they are proud of. Seeing the happiness everybody has for their accomplishments makes her thankful to be able to witness such things.
Cassandra Lynn Quissell is the 18 year old daughter of James and Deanne Quissell and has one sibling, Makenzie. She is a 2015 graduate of Plymouth High School and will attend Ball State University in the fall majoring in Architecture and Planning with a double minor in Urban Planning and Interior Design. During high school she was a member of the Riley Dance Marathon, National Honor Society, Student Council, Key Club, FCA, FTA, Senior Breakfast Committee, Varsity Club, Sunshine Society, Pep Club, and L.E.A.D. Club. She participated in Volleyball, Gymnastics, Varsity Track, and Theatre Arts. Cassandra coached gymnasts and cheerleaders at Jana’s Gymnastics. She also has volunteered over 400+ hrs. for different causes while in high school. She is a Riley Hospital for Children Ambassador. Cassandra’s favorite part of the Blueberry Festival is the opportunity to give back to the community. She has worked the Wesleyan Church and FCA water booth every Sunday of the Labor Day weekend for the last four years. She has worked many hours, has a blast, and enjoys meeting and talking to a variety of people while helping an important organization.
Korie Marie Rice is the 18 year old daughter of Lisa Bailey and Bill Bailey of Plymouth. She has one sibling, Benjamin. She is a 2015 graduate of Plymouth High School and will attend Indiana University – Bloomington in the fall, majoring in Pre-Optometry and Psychology. While in high school Korie has been a member of the PHS Orchestra, Sunshine Society, National Honor Society, Future Teachers of America, Key Club, Spell Bowl, and Marching Band. She has also been a member of the South Bend Youth Symphony Orchestra. Her hobbies include playing the piano, violin, flute, and ukulele. Korie likes crafting, scrapbooking, and antiquing. Korie’s favorite part of the Blueberry Festival happens to be the parade. She loves to cheer on the runners, see some of the clubs/organizations throughout the county, and celebrate the prosperity of the community.
Elizabeth Dawn Polstra is the 17 year old daughter of Elias and Katie Baca of Plymouth and has one sibling, Lucy. She will be a senior in at Plymouth High School in the fall, and would like to attend a college majoring in Pre-Law. In high school she is a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Speech and Debate Team, AFS, and Multicultural Club. She volunteers weekly for students seeking religious education. She participates in travel soccer and high school soccer. Her activities are spending time with her family, especially her little sister Lucy who always brightens her day. Elizabeth’s favorite part of the Blueberry festival is tasting the different types of foods and experiencing the different types of people that visit the festival.
Amanda Louise Middleton is the 19 year old daughter of Doug and Lora Middleton of Argos. She has one sibling, Katherine. Having just completed her freshman year at Indiana University – Bloomington, she is majoring in Exercise Science/Pre-Med. She is a member of IU Chi Alpha, Girl Scouts, and IU Auditorium Ushers. Intramurals Amanda has participated in are basketball, soccer, volleyball, and softball. She enjoys swimming, running, biking, reading, and camping. The fireworks are Amanda’s favorite part of the Blueberry Festival because she feels they are so cool to watch and she loves spending the evening with her family and friends while waiting for them to begin.
Samantha Rae Gardner is the 18 year old daughter of Dusti Gardner of Plymouth. She is a 2015 graduate of Plymouth High School and will be attending Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis majoring in Pre-Medicine. During high school she was active in Drama Club and Broadcasting. She was a Varsity and competitive cheerleader and played tennis. She took a CNA class at Plymouth High School towards getting her CPR certification and Nursing Assistant certification while also completing 75 clinical hours at Miller’s Merry Manor in Plymouth. Samantha’s favorite part of the Blueberry Festival is the parade because of all of the units that participate. It is really cool that so many bands, fire trucks, police cars, etc. are in it. The floats are always so unique as well.
Jillian Elizabeth Smith is the 17 year old daughter of Daphne Stapleton and Tracy Smith of Plymouth. She has one sibling, Rick and will be a senior at Plymouth High School this fall. While in high school, Jillian has belonged to the PHS Theatre Club, PHS Speech Team, and Pep Club. She has participated in theatre productions, volleyball, softball and is also a member of the Harris Heat Travel Softball Team. Jillian enjoys teaching baton lessons and coaching rec softball. Her favorite part of the Blueberry Festival is the parade. She has participated in the parade for 17 years, the first time with her mom pushing her in a stroller with Jillian holding a 6 inch baton. Of course, she also likes the food!
Olivia Renae Neese is the 17 year old daughter of Nancie Stutzman-Neese and Billy Neese of Plymouth. She has two siblings, Catherine and Jonathan. A 2015 graduate of LaVille High School, Olivia plans to attend Indiana State University in the fall and major in Biology and PreMedicine. Olivia has participated in Student Council, LaVille Vocal Aires, Madrigals, Vocal Jazz competition, Academic Super Bowl, Yearbook, Broadcasting, Drama Club, Pep Club, Mentoring, Library Aide, Group Tutoring, National Honors Society and Laville Tap Dance. She was also a Varsity Cheerleader. She enjoys the Shiloh Wesleyan Youth Group, Guatemala Mission team, volunteering at the Neighborhood Center, The World Missionary Press, The Bread of Life Pantry, being a Church nursery attendant, teaching Junior Church and VBS. Olivia likes baking, crafting, piano, reading, singing, yoga, and dancing. Olivia’s favorite thing about the Blueberry Festival would definitely have to be the fireworks! Each year her family gathers together to share some food and laughs. She feels it is wonderful to be able to spend time with friends and family and watch the fireworks.
Gabrielle Bennett is the 19 year old daughter of Ryan and Brooke Heisler, and Justin and Mailssa Bennett, from Argos. She has four siblings, Jacob, Brady, Olivia, and Mason. She will be a sophomore at Ivy Tech Community College this fall majoring in Psychology. She enjoys reading, writing, hanging out with her friends and family, painting and going for walks. Gabrielle’s favorite part of the Blueberry Festival is how it brings families and friends together. She also enjoys how during the fireworks show everyone crowds together to watch.
MaKayla Rehann Fox is the 19 year old daughter of Daniel and Julie Fox of Plymouth. She has one sibling, Garrett. She will be a sophomore at Ancilla College in the fall, majoring in Agriculture. She is a member of the Marshall County Horse Association, a Marshall County 4-H volunteer, a Marshall County 4-H ten year member and was on the county 4-H horse judging team. While attending Plymouth High School she was involved in FFA, National Honor Society, and a 2014 class officer. She also was a member of the golf and gymnastics teams. MaKayla’s favorite part of the Blueberry Festival is eating the blueberry ice cream shakes and watching the fireworks.
Sarah Caroline Hawkins is the 18 year old daughter of Melinda Hawkins and Kyle Hawkins of Bremen. She has two siblings, Joshua and Aaron. She is a 2015 graduate of Bremen High School. Future plans include attending Indiana Wesleyan University and majoring in Athletic Training/Physical Therapy. She has participated in National Honors Society, FFA, 4-H, Jr. Leaders, Key Club, and Bremen’s Distinguished Young Women. Activities that Sarah enjoys are playing the piano and singing in her church worship band, being in 4-H and working with her animals. Spending time with her friends and family is very important. Also, she looks forward to attending a mission’s trip to the Dominican Republic this summer. Sarah’s favorite part of the Blueberry Festival is the fireworks. Every year she is excited to see the show because it is the best fireworks show around.
Hope Mackenzie Banghart is the 18 year old daughter of Bill and Debbie Banghart of Plymouth. She has three siblings, Sara, Christine, and Josh. She is a 2015 graduate of Plymouth High School and will be attending Bethel College in the fall majoring in Nursing. During high school she was a member of Key Club, National Honor Society, and Prayer Club. She enjoys youth group worship, singing, and volunteering in the community. Hope’s favorite part of the Blueberry Festival is the amount of people who come to town because it brings business to Plymouth and gives a reference point to the area for people who don’t live in the area.
Anna Marie Borkholder is the 20 year old daughter of Merlin and Brenda Borkholder of Bremen. She has one sibling, Kristina, and will be a Junior at IVY Tech majoring in Phlebotomy and Medical Assisting. She is the weapons instructor for both color guard and winter guard for Bremen Cadets and the Emerald Alliance. Anna likes to go running with her two dogs, ride her bicycle, take long morning walks, play with her pets, ride horses, knit, and do crafts. She enjoys working at the Plymouth Hacienda, going to the shooting range and spending time with her family. Anna’s favorite part of the Blueberry Festival is walking around all the vendors and seeing what everyone is selling. The homemade items are her favorite, because she loves seeing what people do when they put their mind to it.
Emily Marie Arroyo is the 17 year old daughter of Gustavo and Veronica Arroyo of Plymouth. She has four siblings, Gonzalo III, Nora, Emilio, and Angel. She will be a senior at Plymouth High School in the fall, and would eventually like to attend a culinary school majoring in pastry. She is a member of the Sunshine Club at PHS. Her hobbies include volunteering in children’s church, worship team, youth group, and spending time with family and friends. Emily’s favorite part of the Blueberry Festival is all of the delicious food. She loves that the festival always falls around her birthday. It’s been a tradition for her to spend her birthday money at the festival.
Maelee Ann Holderread is the 20 year old daughter of Marylynn Holderread of Plymouth. She has one sibling, Dustin. She will be a junior at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne majoring in English Education. She is active in Big Brothers Big Sisters, Pinterest Club, Sigma Alpha Pi National Society of Leadership and Success, IPFW STAT, Shiloh Wesleyan Guatemala Mission team, D-Sharp Show Choir, Campus Ministries, Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, Lutheran Family Formal Friends, and Housing Video Team. Her hobbies are baking, teaching Junior Achievement, laser tag, reading, spending time with friends, elliptical workouts, crafting, working as a resident assistant, attending church, benefit walks/runs, singing, international student events, and couponing. Maelee’s favorite part of the Blueberry Festival is Sunday. Sunday is the most important day of the festival for her family. They attend the pancake breakfast and balloon launch in the morning and after church they explore the festival, taking in the musical groups and eating delicious food. They all sit together and watch the fireworks at the end of the night.
