The first official event of the 53rd annual Marshall County Blueberry Festival is happening tonight.
Young women from all across the county have been preparing for the 2019 Miss Blueberry scholarship pageant for weeks and this evening they will be vying for the crown.
According to Festival Coordinator Sherrie Martin, the event will be held in the Argos High School Auditorium at 7 p.m. The admission fee is $5, with no cost for children 12 and under.
MAX FM’s Morning Show Host and Sportscaster Tony Ross has been assisting with the pageant for the last 10 years and will serve as tonight’s emcee.
Last year’s Miss Blueberry Kenzie Quissell will relinquish her title and crown the new queen tonight. The Marshall County Blueberry Festival Board of Directors extended their thanks to her for the excellent job she’s done.
This year’s contestants include Abigail Powell, Aleczandra Dolan, Claire Carnes, Karianne Dunifin, Mary Ann Yeo, Emily Smith, Elizabeth Sutterby, Chelsea Tibbs, Catherine Neese, Kendall Carnes, Delanie Groves, Ellie Lonna Feldman, and Shandell Parker.
These ladies have spent the last four weeks working with Plymouth’s First Lady Leanne Senter.
She has helped with dance rehearsals provided assistance with getting used to the stage and assisted with practices on walking and grace. Senter also facilitated a community service night at the Miller’s Merry Manor Senior Living Community and threw a pizza party to help the girls relax prior to dress rehearsal on Friday.
The 2019 Miss Blueberry will receive a $1,250 scholarship, a crown, a blueberry necklace (which is a wonderful choice for the best customized gifts ever), and a portrait. First runner up will get a $750 scholarship and the 2nd runner up will receive a $500 scholarship. They will each also receive a cut glass bowl.
“Miss Friendship”, who will be chosen by the contestants, will be given a $100 cash award and a heart-shaped cut glass bowl.
The Queen and her Court will represent the Festival at several parades through the summer as well as various activities during the festival.
More information about 2018’s Queen and the contestants in this year’s pageant can be found below:
2018 Miss Blueberry Kenzie Quissel – Kenzie is the 19-year-old daughter of James and Deanna Quissel of Plymouth. She is a sophomore at Indiana State University, majoring in Business Management and Financial Services.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Karianne Dunifin – Karianne is the 18-year-old 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.
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.
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.
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.
