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Niles High School senior wins Mr. Blossomtime title

By JOHN EBY / Niles Daily Star
Monday, March 10, 2008 12:33 PM EDT

BENTON HARBOR - Taylor Robson Sunday night brought Niles/Brandywine its first Mr. Blossomtime title in the contest's 12-year existence.

From left, Mr. Nice Guy Cal Pompey of Cassopolis, First Runner-up Matt Siemans of St. Joseph, 12th Mr. Blossomtime Taylor Robson of Niles/Brandywine; and Second Runner-up Scott Olson, also of St. Joseph.

Taylor, son of Jeff and Lynn Robson, was Contestant 29 from 39 young men who competed at Lake Michigan College Mendel Center along with 23 community queens in the Showcase of Queens.

Miss Blossomtime will be crowned tonight in a pageant that begins at 7.

She will receive $3,715 in scholarships. In all, Blossomtime is bestowing $8,965.

After graduating from Niles High School, Taylor plans to study journalism and communications at a four-year university.

He has been accepted at Michigan State and Grand Valley State universities and possibly will play college soccer.

Taylor gave a winning answer to the question posed to each of nine finalists: If you could be a world leader, which one and why?

He answered Hugo Chavez to be able to avert civil war and bring peace to Venezuela, home country of an exchange student staying with them.

Taylor's honors and awards include: National Honor Society; honor roll all four years; varsity soccer, sophomore year All-Conference honorable mention; varsity soccer, junior year All-District, district champions; varsity soccer, senior year, captain; Scholar Athlete, grades 10-12; copy editor 11th grade and journalism sports editor, 12th grade.

Under community service and volunteer activities, Taylor lists church missions trips to New York City and Mexico; stuff-a-bus food drive; volunteer worker at the Niles Haunted House; youth rocket football; Habitat for Humanity; youth soccer and youth basketball camp counselor; Adopt-a-Family; YMCA referee; Relay for Life participant; and Homework Busters volunteer.

The king's extra-curricular activities include varsity basketball, baseball and soccer, Postponing Sexual Involvement (PSI) teen leader, NHS, church youth group leader, journalism sports editor, Student Council member, class officer, Counter Points show choir member and Niles Varsity Club member.

Finalists appeared from inside of a crate labeled "Ship to Blossomtime" which Master of Ceremonies Phil McDonald, the radio personality, likened to riding in to a Port-a-Potty race.

McDonald also teased co-host Lainie Lu Howard Von Behren, Miss Blossomtime 1988, all evening about her modeling on a box of Special K. He stashed a case of the Kellogg's cereal behind the podium.

For the theme "Blossomtime Cruises the World," contestants warmed up southwestern Michigan with a journey down to Rio.

First runner-up is Contestant 33 Matthew Siemans of St. Joseph.

Matt, son of Eric and Cathy Siemans, wants to be successful in the automobile sales industry. He was elected junior class president as a Student Senate member and received the A.J. Gleiss award.

Matt volunteers in Key Club and a community Christmas program that provides holiday activities and presents to underprivileged children.

His extra-curricular activities include Student Senate, senior mentor, employee of The Tux Shop, Outpost Sports, Curious Kids and a member of Trinity Lutheran's youth group.

Matt won $300 for selling the most program ads.

Second runner-up also hails from St. Joseph. Contestant 32 Scott Olson, son of Todd and Michele Olson, wants to obtain his mechanical engineering degree from Western Michigan University and design parts for a major American automotive company.

Scott was swimming conference champion in 2005 and 2006 and runner-up in the 2007 Michigan ITFS state engineering competition.

He volunteered for the Jimmy Carter Harbor Habitat Build, tutors for St. Joseph Public Library's children's program and is a leader in his church youth group.

Scott participated in swimming all four years, golf for two years, marching band for four years, youth counselor for the YMCA and a library tutor.

Mr. Nice Guy, comparable to Miss Congeniality in that it is selected by fellow contestants, went to Cal Pompey of Cassopolis.

Cal, whose parents are named Garry and Theresa, was Contestant 14.

Cal is drum major for the Ranger Marching Band, captain of the cross country team, captain of the track team and got accepted for Young Americans.

He helps run a summer children's sports camp at Ross Beatty High School.

Rounding out the final nine for Mr. Blossomtime were Kyle Green of Watervliet, Ryan Wagley of Edwardsburg, Jimmy Garcia of Watervliet, Ricky Rios of Hartford, Scott Palenske II of Three Oaks/River Valley and Sedrick Nelson of Benton Harbor.

Queens voted Most Photogenic at the preliminary Showcase of Queens included Miss Benton Harbor Ashley Coleman, Miss Stevensville Krystal Mendoza and Miss Watervliet Chelsea Goodrich.

Modeling awards were presented to Miss Bangor Ashley Eldred-Barker, Miss Hartford Patricia Hoeckelberg and Miss New Buffalo Alexandra Heit.

Each community queen prepared a commercial promoting a particular port of call. Communication winners were Miss Benton Harbor Ashley Coleman (New Orleans), Miss Buchanan Brianne Weldy (Tahiti) and Miss Edwardsburg Jeni Bollenbacher (New York City, dressed as a delicious red Big Apple with her arm as a worm puppet).

Miss Cassopolis Whitney Smego, daughter of Mike and Brenda Smego, advertised Charleston, S.C.

Miss Niles/Brandywine Whitney Spain, daughter of Thomas and Vickie Spain, featured Galveston, Texas.

Miss Decatur Brittney Compton, daughter of Jay Compton and Lorrie Stevens, dressed as a gondolier for a Venice, Italy, boat tour.

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