Nine young women vying for Miss Dowagiac 2013 include: seated, Brittany Smith, contestant 1; Katelyn Lee, 2; and Erin Corey, 3. Back: Morgan Helmuth, 7; Easton Preston, 4; Cheryl Ennesser, 8; Gabrielle Leonard, 5; Jenna File, 6; and Amanda Hassle, 9. The contestants are pictured with reigning queen Erica Greenwood and co-chairs Courtney Livingston, Miss Dowagiac 2005, left; and Gabbi Dorman, Miss Dowagiac 2011, right.

Miss Dowagiac Erica Greenwood crowns her successor Saturday, Feb. 9, at the 74th Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Pageant.

Tickets will be available for purchase through the nine contestants until Jan. 27.

Tickets will also be available for purchase on Sunday, Feb. 3, from noon to 2 p.m. at the depot.

Contestants will be competing for ticket sales this year, selling as many as possible from a specially chosen block of seats at Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center.

The contestant who sells the most wins her choice of seats from that block as well as a gift basket.

All ticket money must be turned in by each contestant on Sunday to be eligible for the prize.

Let’s meet the contestants, who include eight Union High seniors, a DUHS junior and three dual enrolled at Southwestern Michigan College.

Contestant 1

Brittany Smith, 17

Height: 5-foot-4; blue eyes

Parents: Krin Smith, Darby Smith

Siblings: Thomas Smith, Brooke Smith.

School activities: cross country, band, National Honor Society, Chieftain Monitor

Outside activities: Band Boosters volunteer

Interests and hobbies: playing and listening to music, hanging out with friends and family, camping, running

Awards/honors: receiving a division I rating at district and state solo and ensemble for two years and belonging to NHS

Plans after graduation: “going to SMC for two years, then transferring to Western Michigan University to become a counselor.”

Greatest accomplishments: running a 28:18 at the Rock ’n’ Run, keeping a best friend for 10 years, winning Homecoming queen, getting division I solo and ensemble for two years and being an NHS member

Describe yourself in three words: imaginative, talented, witty

Why are you competing? “I feel it will help me be more confident. Also, I would like to make many memories with the girls who are competing in the pageant.”

Platform: Healthy Above Skinny

Contestant 2

Katelyn Lee, 18

Height: 5-foot-7; blue eyes

Parents: David and Marilynda Lee

Attends: Southwestern Michigan College as well as DUHS

School activities: Rotary Interact Club, Humanities Club, four-year Homecoming float-building participant, junior/senior prom planning/decorating participant, two-year DUHS senior citizen luncheon participant

Outside activities: Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor, St. Paul’s food drive volunteer, Utopia’s youth Christmas cookie decorating volunteer, Rotary trick-or-treat food drive volunteer, Berrien County Council for Children summer festival volunteer, United Way Summer School Supply Spectacular volunteer, Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics participant, four-year junior aide for the Tiny Talkers speech and language program

Interests and hobbies: playing bass and electric guitar, four-wheeling, painting, dancing, going to the movies and the beach, spending quality time with my family, animal lover, Notre Dame fan, walking my dogs and working as a hostess and waitress at Lindy’s restaurant

Awards and honors: accepted to SMC, honor roll, 10-year dedication to dance award, March 2011 Chieftain of the Month, DUHS letters of excellence for behavior, attitude and attendance, Holy Maternity of Mary outstanding citizenship award, numerous local and national competitive dance awards and Dupree tap dancer scholarship finalist

After graduation: to attend SMC and achieve her associate degree in criminal justice, then transfer to a larger university to achieve her master’s degree to become a criminal psychologist.

Greatest accomplishments: “being accepted to SMC to further my education and build my future. Also, volunteering since the age of 7.”

In three words: unique, approachable, poised.

Why are you competing? “To have the opportunity and privilege to represent the community I’ve grown up in all my life.”

Platform: You

Contestant 3

Erin Corey, 18

Height: 5-foot-3; baby blue eyes

Parents: Jody and Randy Corey

Sister: Megan Corey

School activities: varsity tennis, Student Senate, Humanities Club secretary, Drama Club, yearbook, Future Nurses of America, choir

Outside activities: youth group, travel softball, Catholic Heart work camp, 4-H, volunteering at nursing homes with Future Nurses of America, waitress at Steak-n-Shake

Interests/hobbies: fishing, singing, baking, gardening, traveling, collecting antiques

Awards/honors: varsity tennis, 10 years of dance, Homecoming princess.

After graduation: attending SMC for a nursing degree.

Accomplishments: “My baptism this past Easter. Also, attending Catholic Heart work camp over the summer.”

In three words: passionate, bubbly, determined

Why are you competing? “Memories. I had the chance to make memories with girls in my class I really never talked to. It’s a great opportunity.”

Platform: Acceptance

Contestant 4

Easton Preston, 18

Height: 5-foot-4; brown eyes

Parents: Gray and Linda Preston

Brothers: Jesse, Thomas, William

Attending: DUHS and SMC

School activities: concert and marching band, jazz band, color guard, NHS, Chieftain Heart spirit club, yearbook

Outside activities: 4-H, church, Grange, volunteering

Interests/hobbies: 4-H, reading, music, playing saxophone, baking

Honors/awards: high honors, multiple Cass County Fair awards

After graduation: “I plan on going to SMC to get a degree in early childhood education.”

Greatest accomplishments: “Learning to be more independent and having the courage to speak in front of large groups of people.”

In three words: friendly, optimistic, dependable

Why are you competing? “I thought it would be a good way to experience my senior year and it would help me gain better public speaking and interview skills.”

Platform: Positive Self Image

Contestant 5

Gabrielle Leonard, 17

Height: 5-foot-6; blue eyes

Parents: Bill and Nancy Leonard

Siblings: Billy, 11; Heather, 20

Attending: DUHS junior

School activities: First Robotics, volleyball, tennis, NHS

Outside activities: club volleyball, Zeke’s hostess

Interests/hobbies: reading, running, listening to music

Awards/honors: received academic letter, principal’s list

After graduation: “I plan on majoring and getting my degree in aeronautical engineering and one day becoming an astronaut.”

In three words: dedicated, persistent, conservative

Why are you competing? “I have a desire to become more involved in my community and to help shape young women and girls into strong, independent women.”

Platform: Women in Technology

Contestant 6

Jenna File, 17

Height: 5-foot-4; brown eyes

Parents: John and Cheree File

Siblings: Nick and Molly File

School activities: band, cross country

Outside activities: 4-H

Interests/hobbies: boating, camping, running, water sports

Awards/honors: academic honors

After high school: attend SMC to continue her college career, then transfer to a university to complete her degree as a gynecologist

Greatest accomplishment: “Breaking my best time in cross country and winning reserve grand champion with my dairy feeder steer at the Cass County Fair.

In three words: conscientious, witty, personable

Why are you competing? “To enhance my public speaking skills, to participate more within my community and to have fun with my friends.”

Platform: Importance of Family
Contestant 7

Morgan Helmuth, 17

Height: 5-foot-3; blue eyes

Parents: David and Jennifer Helmuth

Brother: David Coy Helmuth, 13; sister, Madison Helmuth, 10

Attends: DUHS and SMC

School activities: Rotary Interact Club, Humanities Club, tutored middle school students

Outside activities: employed at Spatoepia, acrobatics class at Miss Kathy’s School of Dance, participates in church functions and volunteered at various summer church camps

Interests/hobbies: going to the beach and spending time with friends, traveling with her family

Awards/honors: varsity letter in soccer and most improved freshman year

After graduation: pursue career as a certified public accountant

Greatest accomplishment: “Not letting my learning disabilities hold me back from anything.”

In three words: friendly, outgoing, hard-working

Why are you competing? “I believe it is a good way to form new bonds with new people and also to be able to interact with my community in different ways.”

Platform: Worth of a Penny

Contestant 8

Cheryl Ennesser, 18

Height: 5-foot-4, blue eyes

Parents: Karen and Dan Ennesser

Sister: Marcie Ennesser

School activities: Chieftain Heart, Rotary Interact Club

Outside activities: baking, cosmetology and all water sports

Honors: DUHS honor roll all four years

After graduation: attend Twin City Beauty College to eventually open her own salon

Greatest accomplishment: “overcoming my shyness of public speaking”

In three words: ambitious, creative, dependable

Why are you competing? “For the experience of interviewing and public speaking.”

Platform: Compassion

Contestant 9

Amanda Hassle, 17

Height: 5-foot-4; green eyes

Parents: Martha and Joe Hassle

Siblings: Rebecca, Sarah, Joseph

School activities: varsity soccer, Rotary Interact Club secretary, Student Senate secretary

Outside activities: soccer, snowboarding, 4-H, Timberline and Berrybrook Enterprises employee

Interess/hobbies: traveling, running, reading

After graduation: “I am going to attend college, where I will pursue a profession in the medical field.”

Greatest accomplishments: “Having a grand champion dairy feeder steer in 2008 and running a 25:25 5K in cross country.”

In three words: humorous, confident, outgoing

Why are you competing? “I believe it is a great experience. I have been able to build relationships with the other contestants and learn life skills.”

Platform: Perks of Traveling