By By NORMA LERNER / Dowagiac Daily News
Emily Phillips, 17, was ecstatic when she was named Miss Cassopolis 2009 Sunday afternoon at the Miss Cassopolis pageant held at the Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center.
This was the first contest for her.
"It's exciting. I am shocked. It will be fun. I love my court," she said after being crowned the contest queen from 13 entrants. She is a senior at Ross Beatty High School in Cassopolis.
Her court includes first runner-up McKenna Williamson, a 17-year-old senior at Edwardsburg High School, who was also chosen Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants, and second runner-up Jessica Adam, a 17-year-old senior at Ross Beatty High School. She was named Miss Entrepreneur for raising the most funds from sponsors.
Emily is the daughter of Mike and Lori Phillips.
She said no one has ever won a contest event in her family and that she decided to enter it on her own with inspiration from her friends. "I wanted to go out with friends and meet new friends," she said after being crowned.
McKenna is the daughter of Darren and Bernadette Williamson.
Jessica is the daughter of Bruce and Dawn Adam.
Emily is 5-1/2 feet tall and has brown hair and hazel eyes. She plans to study nursing at Southwestern Michigan College to become an obstetrics nurse. She has been active in varsity softball, varsity cheer leading, Varsity Club, National Honor Society and SADD.
McKenna is 5-foot-8 with brown hair and blue eyes. She plans to study art communications and journalism after high school and has been active in National Honor Society, Student Senate, Hope, the yearbook, 4-H, cheerleading, German Club and performing arts.
Jessica is 5-foot-5 with brown hair and hazel eyes.
She plans to study special education in college for pre-school children with disabilities. She has been active in tennis, cheerleading, Varsity Club, SADD, 4-H and her church.
Miss Cassopolis receives a keepsake crown and a traveling crown in memory of Marjorie and Megan Adam, a $75 gift certificate from Memories Evening Wear, Kalamazoo, a charm bracelet, a $300 returning Blossomtime wardrobe, a $575 Blossomtime entry fee and a $500 scholarship.
Pageant chairperson was Elizabeth Klug, with co-chairperson Deniece Schantz.
Master of Ceremonies was Adam Smego.
Judges were Brandy Campbell, Wayne Prillwitz and Sharon Underwood.
Welcoming royalty was Whitney Smego, Miss Cassopolis 2008.
Others in the contest were Athena Hatcher, Torie Conner, Paige Cole, Brianna Fitzsimons, Cassie Borsa, Bethany File, Shanee Mitchell, Cayla Miracle, Arielle Christie and Brittany Francis.
Miss Cassopolis 2009 and her court will appear March 8 and 9 at the Miss Blossomtime Pageant at Lake Michigan College Mendel Center.