Chloe Aalfs crowned Miss Buchanan 2025 – Leader Publications

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Chloe Aalfs was crowned Miss Buchanan 2025 Saturday, Dec. 14 at Buchanan High School. (Submitted)

From left: Coy Weinberg, Zoe Griggs, Chloe Aalfs, Ava Graham, Brooke Strefling, Bodie Bryans, Landon Fankhauser. (Submitted)

BUCHANAN — A new royal court has been crowned to represent the Buchanan community.

When the dust settled, Chloe Aalfs was crowned Miss Buchanan 2025 Saturday, Dec. 14 at Buchanan High School. Aalfs inherits the crown from Miss Buchanan 2024 Hannah Herman.

“I was in total shock,” Aalfs said. “I felt like any one of the girls in the top five could have won as they all did amazing. This was my first pageant and I really had no Idea what to expect. It honestly felt like an out of body experience where my mind went completely blank in that moment. It hasn’t really sunk in yet.”

Contestants performed a dance routine before taking part in a question, a formal presentation and a fast walkthrough. Aalfs said her favorite part of the pageant experience was interacting with her fellow contestants.

“Being around all the girls and seeing how much we all improved from the first practice,” she said. “I have grown to know that every one of us are queens and it’s been fun getting to know such a great group of girls. And the Miss Buchanan chair people were amazing leaders.”

Joining Aalfs in her court of honor is Zoe Griggs, who was crowned first runner-up; Ava Graham, who was crowned second runner-up; Brooke Strefling, who was crowned Miss Congeniality; Coy Weinberg, Bodie Bryans and Landon Fankhouser, who were named Mr. Buchanan representatives.

“I am looking forward to making memories with my court, meeting new people and getting more involved in my community,” she said.

Aalfs is a senior at Buchanan High School. She is also a four-year varsity volleyball player and a two-time team captain who has received all-state, all-region and all-conference honors for her play on the court. Aalfs is currently doing an internship at Beacon Memorial Hospital – where she also volunteers – for the Allied Health Program and is involved in Health Occupations Students of America where she earned a gold medal at the HOSA Regional Leadership Conference to qualify for state.

Aalfs, who plans to attend a four-year university majoring in psychiatric nursing while playing collegiate volleyball, said her sports background helped prepare her for the pageant.

“It has helped me develop leadership skills, self confidence, communication and perseverance on and off the court. I think by going through the recruiting process, it helped me in being comfortable in my interview with the judges as well.”

Aalfs encourages the next generation of young people to participate in future pageants.

“You never know what will happen if you don’t try,” she said. “Just always be yourself and stay true to what you know. The judges want to see your genuine authentic self.”

With her crown secured, Aalfs will now represent Buchanan in the 2025 Blossomtime Festival in April. Established in 1906, Blossomtime is Michigan’s oldest and largest multi-community festival.

“I am honored to represent Buchanan,” Aalfs said. “I want to inspire others and be a role model to all the younger girls. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to take on this responsibility. I have some big shoes to fill.”