For Monica Ward, the best part of competing in the 2015 Miss Cassopolis pageant was being able to do it with her friends.

When she was crowned the new queen Sunday night at Ross Beatty Jr./Sr. High School, that was the icing on the cake.

“All of us girls became so close throughout this thing,” she said. “We were close before, but it was really nice to be able to do it with my close friends.”

Ward admitted to being nervous as the first and second runners-up were being crowned and she was still standing in the middle of the stage not knowing who would follow Courtney Kuemin as Cassopolis’ next Blossomtime queen.

“I was shaking so bad,” Ward said. “I was holding on to Sarah (Wright) and Maddies’ (Ruff) hands and I was just shaking away. It was nerve racking.

“I immediately started hyperventilating. I am just speechless.”

Ward is a junior who is dual enrolled at Southwestern Michigan College in the Health Academy.

She plans on attending the University of Michigan to become a doctor.

She is an active member of the Cassopolis FFA Chapter, a member of the student senate, a dancer, cheerleader, track runners and a member of the Robo Rangers, Cassopolis’ robotics club.

Ward also is a member of the Legacy 4-H Club and shows chickens, pigs, rabbits and numerous still exhibits.

The new Miss Cassopolis is already looking forward to competing in Miss Blossomtime, which will be held March 8-9 at the Mendel Center on the campus of Lake Michigan College.

“I am looking forward to meeting my sister queens,” Ward said. “Courtney talked so highly of Blossomtime, so I am excited to have that experience.”

Ward is the daughter of Rachele and Scott Ward.

First runner-up was Olivia Hertsel.

Hertsel, the daughter of Diana LaValley and Tracy Hertsel, is a senior as Ross Beatty and is also dual enrolled at SMC. Her future plans include attending Lake Michigan College or Western Michigan University where she would like to become either an agriculture teacher or a dietitian.

Second runner-up was Cassandra Pflug.

Pflug, the daughter of Angela Gilson and Terry Pflug, is a junior at Ross Beatty.

She is dual enrolled at Southwestern Michigan College and plans to further her education at a four-year institution and obtain a PhD.

She plans on becoming a psychiatrist and moving to Oregon.

Jacob Roth was crowned Mr. Cassopolis.

He is the son of Jen Olis and Louie Roth. He is a senior at Ross Beatty and is dual enrolled at SMC. Roth plans on attending either Hope or Albion college where he will pursue a career in kinesiology.

Wright won Miss Entrepreneur.

She is the daughter of Karen and Steven Wright. Wright is a senior at Ross Beatty and plans to attend Hope College in the fall.

This year’s pageant theme was “This Little Piggie.” Hosting the event were Adam Smego and Deniece Fisher.