The newest member of Dowagiac’s royal sisterhood will be crowned later this month, as the Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Pageant hosts its 76th ceremony on Jan. 24.

Over the next several weeks, the Dowagiac Daily News will feature the profiles of the 12 ladies vying for the crown.

This year’s pageant will begin at 7 p.m. inside the Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center.

Tickets for the event are available inside the office of the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, inside the Dowagiac train depot.

Next on the list is contestant number four:

Name: Alyssa Casey

Age: 17

Height: 4’11”

Eye Color: Hazel

Parents: Jerry and Kelli Casey

Siblings: Maddy Casey, age 15

School Attending: Dowagiac Union High School

Grade: 12

School Activities: Secretary of National Honor Society, student senate, cheerleading, competitive cheerleading, softball, and Front Row Crew Member.

Outside Activities: Volunteer at Cass County COA

Interests and hobbies: Softball, cheerleading, and reading

Awards and honors: Presidential Awards (2008 and 2011), Member of National Honor Society (2013-2014), High Honors (2011-Present), Secretary of National Honor Society (2014-Present), Ranked top 10 of class (2011-Present), Junior Varsity Most Valuable Player Award (2012), Varsity Letter in Academics (2011), and Varsity Letter in Cheerleading (2013)

Three words that describe you: Outgoing, intelligent, and caring

What are your ambitions and plans after graduation?  My ambitions and plans after graduation are to attend Michigan State University in the fall in search of my future career.

What are your greatest accomplishments? My greatest accomplishments are receiving the Presidential award two times, maintaining high honors for my whole high school career, being top ten in my class for all four years, earning my varsity letter in academics and sports, being accepted into all colleges I applied to, and becoming secretary of the National Honor Society.

Why did you decide to compete for the title of Miss Dowagiac? I decided to compete for the title of Miss Dowagiac 2015 because I believe it will be an excellent learning experience for me. It would be an honor to represent the town that I grew up in and my family has lived in for many generations. Whether I win or not, I will walk away from this pageant having made new friends, many exciting memories, along with speaking and interview skills I will use for the rest of my life.