Tears streamed down Kimberly West’s face as she bowed her head to receive the 2016 Miss Apple Festival crown Saturday night in the Niles High School auditorium at the 40th annual pageant.

Just moments before, her sister Kara West had also received a crown and was announced as Junior Miss Apple Festival 2016. After their win, both sisters thanked the judges and their parents, Dwane and Karen West.

In addition to the crown, Kimberly received a $1,000 scholarship and Kara received a scholarship for $750.

“At first I really felt like I was not going to win,” Kimberly said. “There were so many beautiful and kind girls who were also in the top five with me. … It was really just a shock.”

Kimberly, 16, is a Niles High School student and is a student council member, soccer player, a member of the College Leadership Club and of the Jazz Band. After graduation, Kimberly said she hopes to study at a university where she can obtain a degree as a clinical psychologist.

Through the pageant experience, Kimberly said she made friends with the other contestants and learned how difficult it is to walk in heels while wearing a gown.

“I just didn’t want to trip,” Kimberly said with a laugh.

Just a year before, Kara, 14, started participating in the Apple Festival pageant. She told Kimberly what a rewarding experience it was.

“I said you should really do it,” Kara said. “It would be really fun to get out of your comfort zone, because that is what I did my first year.”

Like her sister, Kara too was shocked when she was crowned on Saturday night.

“I was so surprised,” she said. “I was like, ‘did they really call my name?’ And I just felt fantastic.”

Kara is a Niles High School student who enjoys singing, playing soccer and cooking. She is a member of student council, Show Choir Theater and the soccer team. After graduating from high school, Kara said she plans to pursue a degree in culinary arts.

To prepare for the pageant, Kara put in hours of practice with the help of her other sister Kayla West.

“We had to practice at the house and she would drill me to do the walk right and everything,” Kara said.

Kara said she is looking forward to riding the ferris wheel at the Apple Festival. She also said she is not done with pageant life. After she turns 15, Kara said she will be competing in the Miss Apple Festival contest.

In her second year of participating in the pageant, Kara said she learned a few new things.

“I learned a lot about being poised and being involved with our community,” she said.

First runners-up for the Miss and Junior Miss courts are also sisters. Cassandra Pflug was crowned first runner-up to Miss Apple Festival. Her younger sister, Tiffany Pflug, was crowned first runner-up to Junior Miss Apple Festival.

Rounding out the Miss Apple Festival court are Brianna Gleason, second runner-up and Lauren Capron, Miss Congeniality. Paige Albright was crowned Miss Congeniality and second runner-up to Junior Miss Apple Festival.

The queens and their courts will represent the Apple Festival at all festival events and activities, and throughout the year at parades and events in neighboring communities.