Miss Niles, Little Miss to be crowned Sunday
Published 7:05 am Thursday, November 14, 2013
Meet the contestants in this year’s Little Miss Niles pageant. In front, from left to right, are Olivia Pompey, Ashlynn West, Grace Wechsler, Aubrey Jackson and Lily Sherwood. In the middle are Mia Graziani, Chloe Parker, Baylee David, Keegan May and Alexis Garlanger. In the back, are Presley Gogley, Layla True, Nicole Millin, Natalie Millin, Mya Francisco and Katelyn Ritchey. Submitted photo
There is plenty of competition at this year’s Miss Niles pageant.
A total of 19 contestants will vie for the opportunity to be crowned Miss Niles 2014 when the pageant begins at 5 p.m. Sunday in the Niles High School Auditorium.
Tracey Hossfeld, chairman of the Miss Niles Scholarship Organization, said this is the most contestants the pageant has had in approximately 10 years.
“I’d like to think we’ve been doing a lot of good things in the community to promote Miss Niles, and, when girls see that, they want to join,” she said. “I’m also excited to say that we have a very diverse group of girls with very different interests. I think it’s really neat that they all realize they have a chance at this. It’s not one particular mold.”
The theme for this year’s contest is “Dumbo’s Circus,” keeping with the Blossomtime Festival’s theme of “Blossomtime Gets Animated.”
Hossfeld said each of the 22 communities involved in Blossomtime will have a theme based on an animation, whether it be from a movie, television show or comic book.
A paper mache elephant created by the Miss Niles Scholarship Organization will be placed on the stage.
“It’s big — about the size of a baby elephant, maybe a little bigger,” Hossfeld said.
Each of the 19 contestants will perform in an opening dance. Afterward, they will take part in a formal presentation in the evening gown of their choice. Finally, they will participate in an on-stage question and answer session in which they will share a little about themselves with the judges and audience.
Along with the crowning of the 2014 Queen and Court, there will also be a farewell from the 2013 Queen, Monica Beilski, and her Court of Honor.
Prior to the 79th Miss Niles pageant, the Little Miss Niles pageant will be held beginning at 2 p.m. There are 17 contestants ages 5-9 competing for the crown.
A farewell ceremony for last year’s winner, Tori DeMeyer, will be held.
The 2014 Miss Niles will compete in the 2014 Blossomtime contest and take part in all of the Blossomtime events. During her reign, she will make numerous appearances on behalf of the Niles community and participate in service events.
Tickets can be purchased for $15 ($10 for students) from any contestant or at the door.
Former Miss Niles queens are invited to attend with a complimentary ticket and will be recognized on stage. Please contact Tracey Hossfeld at missniles@comcast.net, facebook: Miss Niles Scholarship Organization, or 574-323-8231 to reserve your ticket.
Come support the contestants as they compete for their chance to become Miss Niles 2014 or Little Miss Niles 2014 and support the 2013 Court of Honor as their reign comes to a close.
