“Spread the joy of giving, as you encourage others on their own journey of generosity.”

Perhaps Dowagiac’s Miss Congeniality Marissa Tidey had this in mind when she stepped forward to underwrite her successor’s college scholarship.

Clearly her unprecedented act of kindness has already done just that, as it’s now inspired others to pass forward her generosity.

The forerunner of the Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Pageant, which was established in 1930, is a longstanding tradition in Dowagiac and is today sponsored by Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce.

In 2000, pageant officials were pleased to take the competition to new heights, as academic scholarships were awarded for the first time to that year’s queen and to the first- and second runners-up.

Since the fund was established, more than $25,000 in educational scholarships have been awarded to young women within our community, according to Deb Cuthbert and her daughter, Abby (Cuthbert) Johnson, who raise money for and oversee the Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Fund.

As a former pageant chairman, Cuthbert also serves on the Executive Committee of the Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Pageant.

Her daughter, who was Miss Dowagiac in 1998, is one of approximately 40 volunteers who orchestrate the annual event.

“The platform Marissa presented as a contestant of the 2010 pageant was entitled ‘Positive Image,’ which is certainly something Marissa continues to demonstrate as a member of the Miss Dowagiac Court of Honor,” said Ashley Franklin, who co-chairs the scholarship pageant with Audrey Maxey.

While pageant officials now require members of the court to take an active role in activities that raise money for the scholarship fund, Cuthbert said this is the first time a young woman has stepped forward to fully underwrite the scholarship her successor will receive.

“Pageant officials felt this was the appropriate time for the scholarship fund to take the next step, as it grows to yet another level, now awarding academic scholarships to Miss Congenialities from this point forward. When Marissa contacted us and shared her desire to underwrite this year’s scholarship, we were very pleased,” Cuthbert said. “Her generosity was the inspiration that prompted us to take the pageant to this next level.”

“I want to make sure all future Miss Congenialities have scholarship money available to them as they start their first year of college,” Tidey said last Friday, as she presented her $250 contribution to Cuthbert.

The 19-year-old daughter of Tim and Gayle Tidey and great-granddaughter of Warrene Lieber Springsteen, Miss Dowagiac 1939, is a freshman at Grand Valley State University, where she is studying therapeutic recreation.

Cuthbert said the 71st Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Pageant in 2010 awarded $3,500 in scholarships, a majority of which was raised from an annual fund-raising drive held in late fall. Individual and business contributors to the scholarship fund in the amount of $100 or more, along with Gold Crown donors of $50 and Silver Crown donors of $25, are acknowledged each year in printed programs distributed to the audience.

While the scholarship fundraising drive is held in late fall, contributions are accepted throughout the year.

Individuals, businesses and organizations that would like to make a donation to the fund can do so by mailing their check to Huntington Bank in care of the Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Fund.