This year marks the 53rd Annual Marshall County Blueberry Festival. The theme for the festival is “Indiana’s Largest Meet and Greet.” On Saturday, June 29th, the first official event of the festival will be the “2019 Miss Blueberry Scholarship Pageant” with the crowning of the new 2019 Miss Blueberry by Kenzie Quissell, 2018 Miss Blueberry when she relinquishes her crown.
A total of 13 young ladies from throughout Marshall County will vie for the crown. The contestants have a busy four weeks prior to the pageant. Leanne Senter has been busy helping the girls with dance rehearsals, a Community Service night visiting with the residents of the Miller’s Senior Living Community, practices on walking and grace, getting use to a stage and a pizza party to relax prior to dress rehearsal on Friday evening.
On Saturday, June 29th the day of the pageant, the contestants will have a personal interview with the panel of Judges. This interview will count 40% of their score. This same panel of Judges will evaluate the contestants in 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 a theme wear outfit that represents something she would wear to the Festival as Miss Blueberry . An essay on “How would you sell the Marshall County Blueberry Festival to someone who has never been to the Festival” will be read as the contestant models her choice of Theme Wear. The contestants will also appear in Formal Wear. Both the Theme Wear and the Formal Wear portions will each count 30% toward their score for the evening.
The 2019 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 & a Cut Glass Bowl. The 2nd Runner up will receive a $500.00 Scholarship & 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 The Queen and her Court will represent the festival at several parades throughout the summer as well as various activities during the Festival.
In January of 2019, the Queen will represent the Marshall County Blueberry Festival in the Indiana State Festival Queen Pageant at the ISFA Convention held in Indianapolis. In 1998, Marsha Gates won the Indiana State Festival Queen Pageant representing the Marshall County Blueberry Festival as Miss Blueberry 1997. Marsha represented the Town of Argos in the Marshall County pageant.
The pageant will be held at the Argos High School Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 29th, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $5.00, with children 12 and under free. The public is invited and encouraged to come and support all of the contestants as they compete for the 2019 Miss Blueberry crown.
Following is a list of the Queen contestants:
Contestant #1 – Shandell Dawn Parker – Shandell is the 18 year old daughter of Dean and Kim Parker of Argos. Shandell is a 2019 graduate of Argos Jr/Sr High School. In the fall, Shandell will be attending the University of Southern Indiana majoring in Mathematics.
Contestant #2 – Ellie Lonna Feldman – Ellie is the 17 year old daughter of Jon and Jodi Feldman of Bremen. Ellie’s siblings include Brooke, Cambrie, Ty, Lindie, and Zeke. Ellie is a student at Bremen High School and will graduate in 2020.
Contestant #3 – Delanie Cathleen Groves – Delanie is the 17 year old daughter of Jason and Carrie Groves of Bourbon. Delanie has 2 younger siblings: Jolie and Mylie. A 2019 graduate of Triton High School, Delanie will be attending Grace College in the fall majoring in Marketing.
Contestant #4 – Kendall Jane Carnes – Kendall is the 18 year old daughter of Ron Carnes and Tiena Carnes of Argos. She has one younger sister, Claire. Kendall is a 2019 graduate from Argos Jr./Sr. High School. Kendall will be attending Saint Mary’s College this fall to major in Political Science and Statistical/Actuarial Science.
Contestant #5 – Catherine Ruth Neese – Catherine is the 18 year old daughter of Billy and Nancie Neese of Plymouth. She has two siblings; Olivia and Jonathon. Catherine is a 2019 graduate of LaVille High School. Catherine will be attending Huntington University in the fall majoring in Nursing.
Contestant #6 – Chelsea Ann Marie Tibbs – Chelsea is the 20 year old daughter of Jason and Pauline Tibbs of Walkerton. She has two brothers, Zachary and Matthew. She is a 2017 graduate from John Glenn High School and attends Indiana Wesleyan University.
Contestant #7 – Elizabeth Mae Sutterby – Elizabeth is the 17 year old daughter of Bradley Sutterby and Angel Davis of Plymouth. Elizabeth has 4 younger siblings: Emily, Kynlie, Bradie, and Kyla. Elizabeth attends Plymouth High School.
Contestant #8 – Emily Nicole Smith – Emily is the 17 year old daughter of Todd and Darlene Smith of Bremen. She has an older brother Nick. Emily currently attends Bremen High School.
Contestant #9 – Mary Ann Yeo – Mary is the 17 year old daughter of Russ and Jennifer Yeo of Bourbon. Mary has 3 older siblings: Clay, Masen, and Cynthia. Mary is a 2019 graduate of Triton Jr./Sr. High School and will be attending Butler University in the fall majoring in Criminology and Psychology.
Contestant #10 – Karianne Dunifin – Karianne is the 18 year daughter of Brian and Kimberly Dunifin of Tippecanoe. Karianne has 3 siblings: Ryan, Iris, and Gavin. Karianne is a 2019 graduate of Triton High School. She will be attending Saint Mary’s College in the fall majoring in Philosophy.
Contestant #11 – Claire Elizabeth Carnes – Claire is the 17 year old daughter of Ron and Tiena Carnes of Argos. She has one older sister Kendall. Claire will be a senior at Plymouth High School this fall.
Contestant # 12 – Aleczandra Mary Helen Dolan – Aleczandra is the 19 year old daughter of Marlene Dolan of Bremen. She has a younger brother Thomas. Aleczandra is a 2018 graduate of Plymouth High School. She is currently a student at Marian University majoring in Elementary Education with minors in Math and Psychology.
Contestant #13 – Abigail Irene Powell – Abigail is the 18 year old daughter of Brandon and Melea Hoffer of Bourbon. She has two younger siblings Ivy and Mitchell. Abigail is a 2019 graduate of Triton Jr./Sr. High School. Abigail will be attending Purdue University majoring in Agriculture.
The Marshall County Blueberry Festival Board of Directors would like to thank Miss Kenize Quissell, 2018 Miss Blueberry for the excellent job she has done wearing her “crown”. Kenize is the 19 year old daughter of James and Deanna Quissell of Plymouth. She is a Sophomore at Indiana State University majoring in Business Management and Financial Services.
