by Carol Anders Correspondent
PLYMOUTH —Cassandra Dawn Eberly will be reigning over this year’s Blueberry Festival after being named the 2009 Miss Blueberry queen at a pageant held Saturday.
Eighteen-year-old Cassie, as she is known by her family and friends, is a 2009 graduate of Plymouth High School and will be attending Bethel College in the fall. She plans to major in early childhood education.

The overall theme of this year’s contest was “Hats Off to Entertainment.” Each of the 10 contestants was challenged to create an outfit that reflected her favorite entertainer. The theme portion of the contest accounted for 30 percent of the total scoring. Comments on the reasons for the choices were read by Mark Senter, Plymouth mayor and festival board member.
Eberly, dressed as Mary Poppins from the movie of the same name, said the character was practically perfect in every way. She said Mary Poppins entertained children and adults alike.
Other parts of the contest included an individual interview (40 percent), gown presentation and on-stage responses to questions (30 percent).
The new Miss Blueberry is the daughter of Christopher and Janis Eberly of Plymouth.
The first-runner-up was Courtney Lauren Bahr of Bremen. She just completed her first year of study at Indiana University of South Bend where she is majoring in dental hygiene. She chose the character Violet Beauregard from the movie “Willie Wonka” as her favorite entertainer. She is the daughter of Tim and Jackie Bahr.
Placing as the second-runner-up was Jena D’Ann VanDerWeele. The daughter of Jack and Lori Van-DerWeele, the 17-year-old will be a senior at Argos High school in the fall. She portrayed Dorothy from the movie “The Wizard of Oz.” Jena said the character showed “there’s no place like home.”
Rachelle Elizabeth Tatich, 17-year-old daughter of Mike and Serena Tatich, was named in the top five. She will be a senior at Bremen High School this fall and plans to study nursing specializing in surgical pediatrics in the future. Her outfit for the theme portion of the contest was that of Belle from the movie “Beauty and the Beast.” Rachelle said she admired Belle’s strength and kindness.
Also finishing in the top five was Faith Nicole Neidig, 18-year-old daughter of Gary and Robin Neidig. She is a 2009 graduate and will be attending Indiana Wesleyan in the fall. She plans to major in elementary education and special education. She chose to portray child actress Shirley Temple. She said Temple encouraged so many people and brought smiles to so many faces.
Hailey Kristina Hennessy dressed as Denver Bierman. Bierman is a Plymouth native who now tours with his band, Denver Beirman and the Mile High Orch-estra.
Hennessy said Bierman portrays a virtuous life and shows his loyalty to his roots. She is the daughter of Mike Hennessy and Tina Fitch. She will be senior at Plymouth High School in the fall.
Dressed as a circus lion tamer, Stephanie Lee Malon-ey said lion tamers are used to approaching something intimidating and powerful and overcoming anything that gets in the way of success. She is the 17-old daughter was Kenneth and Michelle Bachtel and will be a junior at Plymouth High School in the fall.
Heather Marie Fishburn graduated from Grace Baptist School and will be attending Indiana Univer-sity of South Bend in the fall. She plans to major in nursing. She chose former member of the children’s show “Mickey Mouse Club” Annette Funicello as her favorite entertainer.
Fishburn said Funicello showed that laughter is good for the soul.
Alyssa Jean smith said her favorite character, Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady,” showed courage and persistence.
Smith said she admired the actress, Audrey Hepburn, who portrayed the part as well.
Alyssa is the 18-year-old daughter of Jason and Victoria Smith.
The 2009 graduate will be attending Bethel College in the fall majoring in theatre arts computer graphics.
Eighteen-year-old Heather Rochelle Prawat, daughter of Creighton and Janet Prawet is a 2009 graduate of Bremen High School and will be attending Purdue University in the fall.
She dressed as singer Michael Jackson. She said Jackson was a huge influence in music and fashion.