For the six young ladies who earned crowns Saturday night, it is clear that the Apple Festival pageant was a positive experience, but it is safe to say that all 19 contestants left the pageant with invaluable lessons learned.

For more than two months, the women participating in the Apple Festival event learned a variety of skills ranging from how to walk in heels, to how to participate in an interview.

Through several practices and dress rehearsals, the participants bonded with each other while preparing for the event that celebrates one of their community’s most popular products.

In addition to the hard skills like interviewing and walking, the contestants in the Miss and Jr. Miss Apple Festival pageants had the opportunity to learn a long list of lessons.

Through ad sales, contestants learned about entrepreneurship, and were awarded for their successes.

Despite competing with one another for the crown, the young ladies had to learn to work together and encourage one another, and eventually vote for who they thought should be Miss Congeniality. These lessons of good sportsmanship and positivity are invaluable.

Through the Apple Festival, the girls who have been crowned will become very active in their communities and represent southwest Michigan all over Michiana throughout their reign.

The long list of benefits of the Miss and Jr. Miss Apple Festival pageant goes on and on, and with or without crowns, every contestant who participated should be proud of their accomplishments. It was truly impressive to see so many poised, well-spoken and confident young women take the stage to represent this favorite hometown event, and we congratulate all of you on your success.

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.