Judging by the expression on her face, it is safe to say Miss Niles 2015 was truly surprised when Miss Niles 2014 Danielle Villa placed the crown on her head.

“I didn’t even think I had a chance,” Simone Smith said to the crowd just after being crowned. “I am so blessed. I will not let my community down. I will represent you guys with grace and honor.”

The humble 18 year-old is the daughter of Debbie and Norman Smith, of Niles, and a senior dual-enrolled at Niles High School and Niles New Tech Academy. After high school, she plans to attend college and obtain a degree in fashion merchandising and marketing.

Smith wore a black gown with silver accents for her eveningwear, and a huge smile through the entire pageant.

After the curtain closed, though, she had trouble holding back the tears.

“Are you kidding me?” she said to Miss Niles director Tracey Hossfield. “This doesn’t even feel like real life!”

Smith and 18 other contestants competed for the title during a pageant Sunday night at Niles High School. In keeping with Blossomtime’s theme of nursery rhymes, the girls dressed up like sheep for their opening number, and the stage was decorated to match the childhood favorite, “Mary had a Little Lamb.”

Joining Smith on court are first runner-up Alisa Mazumder, second runner-up Toriee Wilson and Miss Congeniality Jessica Simpson.

Mazumder is a 19-year-old freshman at Southwestern Michigan College pursuing a degree in nursing. She plans to transfer to a four-year college or university after receiving her associate’s. She wore a royal blue sparkly dress.

Wilson is a 17-year-old senior dual-enrolled at Niles High School and Niles New Tech. She plans on attending Baker College to pursue a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy after graduation. She wore a long purple dress with a sparkly silver bodice.

Simpson is a 17-year-old senior at Brandywine High School. She was chosen by her peers to represent Niles as Miss Congeniality. She plans to attend Lake Michigan College to study business and hopes to one day get her cosmetology license and open a salon. She wore a long black gown with one shoulder strap.

Also in the top six were Kylee Myer, Alyssa Jones and Miranda Bailey. Bailey is a freshman at Lake Michigan College, where she is captain of the cheerleading squad. Jones is an 18-year-old senior at Niles New Tech who plans to attend Saint Mary’s College to major in business and later become a motivational speaker. Myer attends Niles High School and Lake Michigan College. She took home $100 for selling the most ads and another $50 for the highest ticket sales. She was also chosen as the People’s Choice winner.

Stingray Jaynes and Alex Kelly were also crowned co-Mr. Niles 2015.

Kelly said Miss Niles 2015 played a large role in his decision to go out for Mr. Niles.

“I competed against five of the best guys in the city,” said Kelly of the interview process. “I got to climb on my friend and pretend to be a cat. “

Jaynes said he too had fun with the interview process.

“It’s probably the best interview I’ve ever had. I got to be a chicken through the whole Hob Nob restaurant. You can be a chicken anywhere, apparently,” he said, and then proved it by doing his chicken impression across the stage.

Before crowning the new queen, the Miss Niles Scholarship Organization said goodbye to its 2014 court including Danielle Villa, Miss Niles 2014; Ryan Roberts and Chance Smith, co-Mr. Niles 2014; Jessica Blank, first runner-up; Hannah Walker, second runner-up and Meghan Lahti, Miss Congeniality.

In her emotional farewell speech, Villa said, “What’s different about the Miss Niles organization is we get involved. With many beauty pageants, that’s what people often see: beauty. But Miss Niles goes above and beyond.”

Lots of tears were shed onstage and in the audience as the organization also said goodbye to its director, Tracey Hossfield. Hossfield joined the 2014 court onstage for a farewell dance, and then received a special gift and video from several community members. Hossfield had been chair of the committee since her daughter, Miss Niles 2009 Zarah Mumaw passed on her crown in 2010.

Miss Niles 2015 and her court will spend the year volunteering at local events and visiting area schools, businesses and organizations. In the spring, Smith, Jaynes and Kelly will compete with kings and queens from all over southwest Michigan for the titles of Miss and Mr. Blossomtime 2015.