By Staff
NILES -- Sixteen young ladies hope to earn the Miss Apple Festival Crown on Thursday.
The 2003 Miss Apple Festival pageant is Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Niles High School auditorium, as well as the sixth annual Junior Miss Apple Festival pageant and the crowning of the Senior King and Queen.
All are part of the Apple Festival opening ceremonies..
Tickets are $6 each and are available at the door.
Miss Apple Festival contestants include:
Rikki Kaup
Rikki Kaup, 21, daughter of Rich and Linda Kaup, is a junior at Southwestern Michigan College, majoring in Elementary Special Education. She wants to teach in the Michiana area when she completes her education.
During high school, she was active in varsity basketball and track all four years and also in SADD, Young Educator's Society, Youth Advisory Council, N-Club, and National Honor Society. In college, she has been active in intramural basketball and the Phi Theta Kappa sorority. She was awarded the Marine's Scholastic Excellence Award and was named Cadet Teacher of the Year. She enjoys sports, running, waterskiing, volunteering, interior decorating and her family.
Emily Dreitzler
Emily Dreitzler, 17, daughter of George and Michele Dreitzler, is a senior at Buchanan High School. She plans to attend college and major in journalism and marketing. She is active in SADD, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Yearbook, and is secretary of her senior class. She received the "Love of the Game" award for volleyball in 2001 and has been an Academic All-Conference for two years in a row. She loves to watch movies and spending time with her friends and family.
Melissa Buzzard
Melissa Buzzard, 17, daughter of Steven and Deborah Buzzard, is a senior at Brandywine High School. She plans to attend Michigan State University or Michigan Technological Institute and study Wildlife Biology/Management. She is active in the school's band, playing in both concert and symphonic band, pep band, as well as being a Drum Major. She plays tennis, runs cross country, and plays soccer. She is on the Academic Challenge team and is a member of both the National Honor Society and the honor roll. She has been in the SWMBOA All-Star Band for three years. She enjoys soccer, painting, hiking, horseback riding, gardening, and fishing.
Mandy Robson
Mandy Robson, 17, daughter of Jeff and Lynn Robson, is a senior at Niles High School. She plans to attend a local college for two years and transfer to a four-year college to receive a bachelor's degree in graphic arts and photography. She is active in Varsity Cheerleading, soccer, SADD, Photo Club, DEP, yearbook and the National Honor Society. She is a Scholar Athlete and enjoys photography, volunteering at the YMCA, and being with her friends.
Elizabeth Moyer
Elizabeth Moyer, 16, daughter of Scott and Brena Moyer, is a sophomore at Niles High School. She plans to do Teen Maniea missionary work after graduation and is active in band, choir, and Spanish classes. She has been on her school's honor roll and enjoys music, kids, and guitar.
Tiffanie Gogley
Tiffanie Gogley, 16, daughter of Leah Frazier and David Gogley, is a junior at Niles High School. She plans to attend college to become a nurse. She is active in softball, Spanish, and SADD. She received an Academic Athletics Award for her GPA and involvement in J.V. softball and received her varsity letter in band and takes advanced mathematics and science. She enjoys softball, ceramics, and making collages.
Jaclyn Mummaw
Jaclyn Mummaw, 16, daughter of Brian and Debra Mummaw, is a junior at Buchanan High School. She plans to attend college to major in education and coaching. She is active in varsity tennis, softball, volleyball, Spanish Club, yearbook, the float committee, and the Youth Advisory Council. She placed first for her Champion Personal Garment in the Arts and Science Expo and has been on the National Spanish Honor Society. She enjoys music, going to the beach, eating Mexican food, playing sports, and being with her friends.
Angela Albright
Angela Kay Albright, 18, daughter of Thomas and Cherean Albright, is a freshman at the Premier College of Cosmetology. She also plans to study Sport/Entertainment Management.
She was the Class President, member of the Student Council, National Honor Society, SADD, Varsity Competitive Cheer and the Varsity Sideline Cheer in high school. She was in the Who's Who of American High School Students for two years in a row and received awards for Perfect Attendance and MIP and MVP Varsity Competitive Cheer. She enjoys golf, singing, dancing, gymnastics, modeling, and volunteering.
Elizabeth
Thornton
Elizabeth Thornton, 17, daughter of Mathew and Katherine Thornton, is a junior at Buchanan High School. After graduation, she plans to attend a four-year university to major in communications and hopefully play softball. She is active in tennis, softball, band, Spanish Club, SADD, drama department, and is President of the Student Council. She has been a Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Seminar representative and has been on the honor roll and attended a mission trip to North Carolina. She enjoys reading, playing tennis, softball, singing, and playing the drums.
Brittney Cass
Brittney Cass, 18, daughter of Melissa and Larry Cass, is a senior at Brandywine High School. She plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College and then transfer to the University of Michigan to become a veterinarian. She is active in soccer and student senate. She is an honor roll student and received the Athletic B award for soccer. She enjoys swimming, being with friends, working and participating in pageants.
Christie Jill Turtle
Christie Jill Turtle, 18, daughter of Jamie and Jill Turtle, is a senior at Niles High School. She plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College for a year, then transfer to Andrews University to study photography. She is active in art club and does multi media projects for her school. She accompanied the high school band to Walt Disney World to play in the parade in April of 2001. She enjoys movies, swimming, and being with her friends.
Brittany Leitz
Brittany Leitz, 16, daughter of James and Theresa Zacher, is a junior at Buchanan High School. She plans to attend Juilliard and study performing arts. She is active in band, colorguard, cheerleading and drama. She has been on the honor roll and received awards at Solo &Ensemble. She enjoys babysitting, volunteering at the nursing home, drama, playing her flute, and cheerleading.
Chelsae
Ghatoaura
Chelsea Ghatoaura, 16, daughter of Carole and Tom Saladin, is a junior at Buchanan High School. She plans to attend a four-year university and major in journalism or broadcasting. She is active in varsity tennis and soccer, is the colorguard captain, and is in marching and concert band. She sings in her church choir, participates in its youth group, and is an honor roll student. She enjoys cooking, running, tennis, and reading.
Sarah Wesner
Sarah Louise Wesner, 16, daughter of Allen and Annette Wesner, is a junior at Buchanan High School. She would like to attend Michigan State University and major in Animal Science. She is active in softball, tennis, and Spanish Club. She won the Grand Champion Steer at this year's Berrien County 4-H Fair and won first place Champion in 2002 with her pig. She enjoys showing animals at the Berrien County Fair, reading, volunteering, and being with her friends.
Melanie Hunt
Melanie Hunt, 17, daughter of Alan and Mickie Hunt, is a senior at Niles High School. She plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College to pursue a career in Elementary Education. She would like to be a teacher in the Niles School System. She is active in SADD, National Honor Society, PSI (Postponing Sexual Involvement), and band. She was selected to attend the Rotary Leadership Camp, is Captain of PSI, is a section leader in band, and was elected treasurer of SADD. She enjoys playing with her kitten Oreo, riding her four-wheeler, and playing games with her family and friends.
Brittany
Harrington
Brittany Harrington, 16, daughter of John and Carri Harrington, is a senior at Buchanan High School. She plans to attend a four-year university to study marketing/advertising.
She is active in tennis, soccer, National Honor Society, Student Government, and Spanish Club. She received the Optimist Student of the Week twice during high school and also the Citizenship Award. She enjoys reading, working, writing, playing sports, and showing animals at the fair.