By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Seventeen Union High School seniors are "Going for the Gold" of the 69th Miss Dowagiac crown at a Sunday afternoon pageant Jan. 27 at the middle school Performing Arts Center.
Tickets go on sale for $15 to the public the Saturday before, Jan.19, at the Chamber of Commerce in the depot.
Let's meet the second six contestants:
Contestant 7
Antonette 'Jackie' Green
Age: 17
Height: 5 feet Eyes: dark brown
Parents: Chris and Sharene Green
Sister: Krista Green
School activities: Student Senate treasurer, journalism reporter, varsity track and cheerleading, Varsity Club, Business Club
Plans: "After graduating, I am going to pursue a degree in dance and business to one day open my own studio."
Outside activities: attends Second Baptist Church, member of Miss Kathy's School of Dance and Positively Dance
Interests/hobbies: dance, spending time with family and friends and doing crafts. Her interests include volunteering and fashion. She is also interested in current events.
Awards/honors: Student of the Year (2003-2004), Citizen of the Month (October 1998), Pre-Teen Michigan semi-finalist (1999-2002), Pre-Teen Michigan Junior fourth runner-up (2000), Pre-Teen America Junior outstanding citizenship (2001)
Greatest accomplishment: "Throughout elementary school, I struggled with a speech impediment, then in 2001 I received first runner-up senior speech at Pre-Teen Michigan."
In three words: energetic, determined, optimistic
Reason for competing: "I want to build new friendships and Miss Dowagiac 2008 will be a positive experience for me."
Contestant 8
Michelle Lee Allen
Age: 17
Height: 5 feet Eyes: green
Parents: James and Janet Allen
Sisters: Amy and Kayla Allen
School activities: National Honor Society (NHS), Humanities Club, journalism reporter, wrestling team manager, Senior Board, Academic Challenge
Plans: study clinical laboratory sciences at Michigan State University (MSU)
Outside activities: volunteered at her veterinarian's office and at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center
Interests/hobbies: enjoys working with animals, taking care of children, cooking and scrapbooking
Awards/honors: Academic "D," Lamp of Learning and a $4,000 Michigan Merit Exam scholarship
Greatest accomplishment: maintaining high honors all throughout grade school, middle school and high school. Also, rescuing her puppy from being killed and nursing her back to health.
In three words: caring, outgoing, intelligent
Reason for competing: "I wanted to make new friends, bond with old ones and make lasting memories while having a lot of fun doing the pageant."
Contestant 9
Tonya Marie Scherer
Age: 18
Height: 5-foot-5 Eyes: brown
Parents: William and Linda Scherer
School activities: Drama Club, Humanities Club, NHS, varsity tennis, varsity golf
Plans: MSU, then medical school, to become a pediatrician
Outside activities: church youth group
Interests/hobbies: reading, scrapbooking, acting, swimming, snowmobiling
Awards/honors: All-Conference in golf this year. Last year, invited to join NHS
Greatest accomplishment: achieving high honors throughout her entire high school career. Also, being able to be part of and helping her golf team succeed in becoming conference champions.
In three words: determined, ambitious, caring
Reason for competing: "It will help me expand my horizons in life. I want to experience all I can in my final year of high school."
Contestant 10
Lindsey Truitt
Age: 18
Height: 5-foot-4 Eyes: blue
Parents: Kent and Judy Truitt
Brothers: Jeremy and Brandon Truitt
School activities: band, Student Senate, NHS, basketball (four years), softball (three years), volleyball (two years), Business Club, Academic Challenge, Science Olympiad, participated in the senior play, member of the pit orchestra for high school musicals, Varsity Club
Plans: attend college to become an accountant
Outside activities: hanging out with friends and family, shopping, going to the movies, employed part-time at Pamida and a member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church
Interests/hobbies: scrapbooking, crafts, playing piano
Awards/honors: Who's Who Among American High School students, Academic Award for Excellence (four years), academic letter, varsity letter, band letter, RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award), All-Conference champions for softball and basketball (2006-2007), squad leader for band (two years) and in the top three of her class
Greatest accomplishment: academic success in high school
In three words: compassionate, dependable, fun-loving
Reason for competing: "I thought it would be a great experience to share with my friends."
Contestant 11
Katie Ernzen
Height: 5-foot-8 Eyes: blue
Parents: Steve and Angie Ernzen
Brother: Matthew Ernzen
School activities: Humanities Club, Varsity Club, Business Club, yearbook committee, school newspaper, varsity volleyball and track
Plans: attend Lake Michigan College to study radiologic technology
Outside activities: greeter and member of Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, mentor and tutor for a Dowagiac Middle School student, works DMS athletic events and played club volleyball
Interests/hobbies: shopping, listening to music, going to the beach, babysitting, scrapbooking, making jewelry, taking pictures, attending Dowagiac athletic events and spending time with family and friends
Awards/honors: Citizen of the Month, volleyball coach's award and comeback player award
Greatest accomplishment: "Learning to overcome adversity and deal with what life throws your way."
In three words: loyal, compassionate, organized
Reason for competing: "It's a wonderful community tradition and I wanted to make more memories and have fun with my friends."
Contestant 12
Jessica Kristina Karnes
Height: 5-foot-9 Eyes: blue
Parents: Judy and Rick Karnes
School activities: Business Club, soccer
Plans: to attend a four-year university. While there, her goal is to receive her bachelor's degree in business, then start a career as an investment banker.
Outside activities: "I love being outdoors and playing sports such as soccer and tennis."
Interests/hobbies: "One of my biggest interests and hobbies is motocross. I love working on my Jeep with my best friend, Mandy. Running, snowmobiling with my family, 4-H and fishing. I am a really outdoorsy kind of girl and I love trying new things."
Awards/honors: high honors, putting together a breast cancer walk, church awards for community service
Greatest accomplishment: "Already going to college for 1 1/2 years. Through Dowagiac Union High School, you have the opportunity of taking classes at Southwestern Michigan College and receiving the credits. I feel that I'm already on my way to getting my career."
In three words: unique, inspiring, enthusiastic
Reason for competing: "I feel that I would be a good role model for my community. I feel if they look up to me they will see that any young woman can accomplish what they really want to do."