06/23/11 This year’s Marshall County Blueberry Festival theme is “Building Memories and Friendships”. On Saturday, June 25th, the first official event of the festival will be the crowning of the new 2011 Miss Blueberry, when a total of 17 beautiful young ladies vie for the crown, at the 2011 Miss Blueberry Scholarship Pageant.
Marshall County is well represented with candidates from public high schools, a private school and several colleges who make Marshall County their home. The contestants will have a busy week before Pageant Night. There will be dance rehearsals, a community service night with a visit to the Residents of the Miller’s Senior Living Community, and a pizza party to relax and enjoy each other, before a dress rehearsal.
On the morning of the pageant, the contestants will have a personal interview with the Judges. The Judges will evaluate each contestant on their interview, evening gown attire, and their theme wear. This year in keeping with the theme of “Building Memories and Friendships”, each contestant is asked to appear in theme wear, representing their favorite “childhood memory”.
The new Queen will be crowned by Miss Blueberry 2010, Shelly Ortiz. As the new Queen begins her year reign, she will represent the festival in area parades, events where her presence has been requested, as well as many activities during the festival, including the number one highlight of eating as much “festival food” as possible.
The pageant will again be held at Argos High School Auditorium, at 7:00 p.m., on Saturday, June 25th, 2011. The cost is $5.00, with children 12 and under free. The public is invited to come and support all the contestants as they reach for the “Crown”.
Following is a list of the Queen contestants:
Shelby Marie Dirrim—Age 18 is a Sophomore at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne and is majoring in Theatre, with Music as a minor. She is the daughter of Terry and Heather Dirrim of Bremen.
Kelly Bahr—Age 18 is a 2011 graduate of Bremen High School. She was a member of Student Council and the National Honor Society. She is the daughter of Tim and Jackie Bahr.
Amanda Marie Malone—Age 19 is a Sophomore at Indiana University South Bend majoring in Music Education, with minors in French and Literature. Her parents are Tim and Coleen Malone of Bremen.
Kayla Marie Ray—Age 19 is a Sophomore at Ashland University, majoring in Sports Communications and Speech Communications. She is the daughter of Kenneth and Kimberly Ray of Plymouth.
Kristy Marie Clemons—Age 18 will attend Indiana University South Bend having graduated with the Class of 2011 from Plymouth High School. She plans on majoring in Nursing. She is the daughter of Justin and Dawn Clemons.
Alissa Dawn Clemens—Age 19 will be a Freshman at Ivy Tech in Warsaw this Fall. She is a volunteer for Real Services and is an Elementary Youth Group Leader. She is the daughter of Terry and Julie Clemens of Bourbon.
Kendall Marie Cooper-Age 17 will be a Senior at Plymouth High School. She will be President of FTA and SEED Club. She is the daughter of Scott and Sharon Cooper.
Stacy Escalante-Age 18 is a 2011 graduate of Bremen High School and will attend Indiana University South Bend majoring in Education. She is the daughter of Olivia and Victor Manuel Escalante.
Cassandra Marie Gaines-Age 17 will be a Senior at Plymouth High School. She in active in the Mayor’s Youth Council, National Honor Society and is a 9 year member of 4-H. She is the daughter of Gina Gaines and William Gaines.
Courtney Alissa Harris-Age 18 is a 2011 graduate of Plymouth High School. She will attend Indiana University South Bend majoring in Political Science. She is the daughter of Jolene and Timothy Harris.
Erin Marie Kinney-Age 19 is a 2011 graduate of Plymouth High School. She will attend Ball State University studying Speech Pathology. She is the daughter of Cindy and Jack Kinney.
Kendall Nicole Mason-Age 17 will be a Senior at Triton Jr/Sr High School. She is Class Secretary and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is the daughter of Brad and Angeia Mason.
Allison Dalene Shorter-Age 17 will be a Senior at Bremen High School. She is active in Student Council and the National Honor Society. She is the daughter of Karen and Pete Shorter.
Kelli-Jo Stachurski-Age 19 is a Sophomore at Manchester College studying Business Communication. From Argos she is the daughter of Cathy Stachurski.
Kelsey Lea Strahla-Age 19 is a Sophomore at the University of Southern Indiana majoring in Nursing. She is the daughter of Sherry and Bud Strahla of Argos.
Brianna J Trappe-Age 17 will be a Senior at the Culver Girls Academy. She is active in Student Council and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. From Plymouth, she is the daughter of Rena and Brian Trappe.
Kayla Lynn Zimmerman –Age 17 will be a Senior at Triton Jr/Sr High School. She is active in FFA, FBLA and Vice-President of FCCLA. She is the daughter of Amy Zimmerman and Matt Neff.
