Contestant 3, 5-foot-2 Gabrielle Nicolette Dorman, is the 72nd Miss Dowagiac since 1930, crowned Saturday night from 13 high school seniors at the middle school Performing Arts Center during Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce’s “An Evening on the Red Carpet.”

New Master of Ceremonies Jeremy Truitt, a 2002 DUHS graduate, announced the final five — communication winner Lauren Smith, Gabby — also named Miss Congeniality by her fellow competitors, Devon Ownby, Shannon Keene and Kiele Belew — while all contestants gathered on stage.
Each was asked with whom she would share her red-carpet walk.
“My father (Alan Smith) would be by my side,” Lauren said. “He’s always been there for me and has supported me through everything. I love him for that.”
“I would definitely have to have my two little sisters (Chloe and Gwyneth Dorman),” Gabby said. “They’re my life. I love them so much. I don’t know what I’d do without them.”
Devon responded, “I’d have my grandma come with me. That way, we could talk about all the stars who were on the red carpet with us.”
Shannon singled out an actual Oscar winner: “I’d choose to have Sandra Bullock by my side because she is so positive, strong and sweet and she remained poised and confident when the media started to attack her.”
Kiele also went with her dad (Keith Belew) “because, no matter what, he always tells me how great I did and is so supportive of everything I do.”
Blue-eyed Gabby, 18, is the daughter of Jeff and Karen Dorman and also has an older brother, Cody.
School activities include cheerleading, Student Senate and National Honor Society.
Outside school, the new queen takes classes at Southwestern Michigan College, works at Treemendus Fruit and is active in her church youth group.
She enjoys cooking, reading, music, fashion, being outdoors, cheerleading, youth group and church activities. She has earned high honors all four years of high school.
After graduating, Gabby, whose cousin, Alyse Pellow, was second runner-up to Miss Dowagiac 2010 Katie Haneberg, wants to enroll in the SMC nursing program for a degree in pediatric nursing, then possibly join the Air Force.
Gabby won a prize package that includes a $2,000 college scholarship.
First Runner-up Shannon Keene, Contestant 1, is the daughter of Rosemarie Keene and of the late Donald Keene. She has an older brother, Scott, and a younger sister, Michelle.
Shannon, 17, stands 5-foot-9, with hazel eyes. She is in NHS, vice president of Humanities Club, Educational Talent Search, band, varsity tennis and golf.
Outside school, Shannon is active in 4-H, church and works at Wood Fire.
She likes reading, painting, traveling and listening to music.
The 2010 Homecoming queen will be graduating in the Top 20 of the Class of 2011 and plans to attend SMC for two years, then transfer to a four-year university to pursue education in the medical field.
Shannon receives an $1,100 college scholarship.
Second Runner-up Devon Leigh Ownby, 18, is the daughter of Don and Babita Ownby. She has a brother, Sinjin.
Devon stands 5-foot-2, with brown eyes. She will be attending Goshen College, studying pre-med while playing softball.
Devon is involved with Student Senate, The Network, volleyball and played four years of varsity softball.
Outside school, she babysits, boxes and participates in Deco Tec, New Beginnings Ministries, church youth group and Bible study.
Devon likes photography, reading, watching movies with her mother, volunteering for Celebration Graduation 2011 and organizing Christian-based parties.
A three-time recipient of Dowagiac Union Schools’ Citizen of the Month, she is Student Senate president senior year, on the honor roll and won the spring sportsmanship award.