Monica Bielski will be crowned Miss Niles 2013 Friday. Submitted photo

Miss Niles 2013 Sasha Zidar and Miss Niles runner-up Allie Schoenleber have been relieved of their duties, according to Tracey Hossfeld, chairman of the Miss Niles Scholarship Organization.

Hossfeld would not say why the two were relieved. She said the decision was made Thursday after a discussion between members of the Blossomtime Festival and Miss Niles Scholarship Organization.

“The problem is when you take on a role you are expected to follow the rules and you are in the spotlight,” Hossfeld said. “They are both good girls, and it’s unfortunate this had to happen.”

Monica Bielski, second runner-up, will be crowned Miss Niles 2013 in a ceremony Friday at Riverfront Cafe in Niles.

“The transition is bittersweet, but I am looking forward to continuing to represent my community,” said Bielski in a release from the Miss Niles Scholarship Organization.

Bielski is a 2012 graduate of Niles High School and is attending Southwestern Michigan College.

Her first official appearance as Miss Niles will be at the Three Oaks Flag Day Parade on Sunday. She and her court of honor will be volunteering in downtown Niles at Arts in Motion on June 22.

Miss Niles was established in 1926 and has crowned 77 queens. It is a scholarship pageant focusing on promoting self-esteem, community service and involvement.  Miss Niles and her court of honor attend events throughout the year of their service, including parades, goodwill tours where they visit nursing homes, schools and area businesses and community service projects.  They believe in supporting and enjoying the community of Niles.

Miss Niles Scholarship Organization is part of the Blossomtime Festival.  Blossomtime is the oldest and largest multicommunity festival in the state of Michigan with 23 Southwest Michigan communities.