Along with blossom time comes the crowning of Summerland’s Royalty.
The 43rd annual Summerland Blossom Pageant was held this past weekend at Centre Stage Theatre. Taking part in the competition were 10 talented young ladies.
In the final analysis, it was Maddy Campbell, Miss Nesters Market, who was chosen as Blossom Queen.
Joining her in her reign will be Princesses Tori Craig, Miss Action Festival and Nicole Fofonoff, Miss Summerset Massage Therapy.
The Talent and Speech presentations were held on Friday evening. The very insightful speeches included topics on happiness, love of family and home, life experience, humanitarian work and living in the now. Talents shown were of figure skating, sewing, poetry, singing, acting and dance.
During Saturday night’s program, the contestants modelled evening wear and answered impromptu questions.
Judges for the pageant were Stacey Bingham, Shannon Corps and Darlene Belanger.
“I feel so honoured and shocked. I’m so proud of all the other candidates. Everyone has done so well,” Campbell said after the pageant. “I’m so honoured to be chosen.”
Craig said,”I’m just so happy. I don’t have any other words to describe it.”
Fofonoff said, “I’m so overwhelmed but so happy. I’m so excited about the summer coming up.”
Natasha Sopow, Miss Rotary was proud and happy about being chosen as Miss Congeniality.
The Peoples Choice award went to Fofonoff and the Committee Award was given to exchange student Nathalia Melgar, Miss Avery Law Office.
Receiving the award for best talent was Miss Legion, Alleah Bowen and for public speaking, Fofonoff. The Volunteer Award went to Patricia Gove, with the Top Fundraiser and Local Knowledge Awards going to Campbell.
Mayor Janice Perrino said the Blossom Pageant is a wonderful opportunity for young women to improve their poise, strengthen their confidence, further their public speaking skills and create new friendships.
In her address to the candidates, she said it was not about the winning, but about taking the experience and using it for the rest of their lives.
“If nothing else you will have learned to get the butterflies in your stomach to fly in formation,” she said.
The mayor also gave a thank you presentation to the outgoing royalty for representing the community during the past year.
Also taking part in the competition were Miss Kiwanis, Savina Singh, Miss Local Lounge Grille, Laura Kohan and Miss Penny Lane, Dara VanDermeulen.
