Correction: Miss Apple Festival’s Hallie Corzine said Sandra Bullock was the woman she would select for the $10 bill.

With her confidence, wit and poise in a shimmering blue dress, Hallie Corzine, 17, became the apple of the judges’ eyes, earning the 2017 Miss Apple Festival crown Saturday night at Niles High School.

As Corzine was crowned, her family and friends filled the auditorium with resounding cheers and shrieks.

Following the announcement, the Niles High School senior visibly shook with excitement.

“I’ve never experienced anything like this before. It feels so amazing. I could not imagine a better feeling,” Corzine said. “I feel so blessed to have this opportunity.”

Corzine was one of six competitors to compete in the scholarship pageant this year.

In addition to her reign over the Apple Festival court this season, Corzine also won a $1,000 scholarship, which she plans to put toward classes at Central Michigan University. Corzine said she hopes to enroll in the pre-dental program and study environmental biology.

Corzine is the daughter of Kim and Chris Corzine. She is dual enrolled at Niles High School and Lake Michigan College.

Corzine said her mother, Kim, who is an associate board member of the Apple Festival, encouraged her to be part of the competition this year.

“She told me it would be a great experience,” Corzine said. “It turns out she was right.”

A self-described shy person, Corzine said she wanted to do something to challenge and encourage herself.

Through the experience, Corzine said she learned a lot about how to remain poised during an interview, remain confident in stressful situations and make many new friends along the way.

While the girls were all competing for the same title, Corzine said they all encouraged and supported one another throughout the process.

The toughest part, she said, was answering a random question on stage. This year, competitors were asked what American woman they would choose to put on a $10 bill.

Corzine said she hoped to one day see Sandra Bullock on the $10 bill, because of her efforts to support Hurricane Harvey victims.

For those who did not win a crown, Corzine said not to be discouraged.

“All the competitors were beautiful,” Corzine said. “Just because they did not get a crown, it doesn’t mean that they are not beautiful.”

Moments before Corzine was crowned, Carsyn Franz, 13, also celebrated victory as she was awarded the title of Junior Miss Apple Festival.

“I am beyond words. I really didn’t know it was going to happen,” Franz said.

Franz is the daughter of Jenn and Scott Riggenbach, of Niles, and is a seventh-grade student at Eastside Connections.

Franz was also the recipient of a $500 scholarship. Franz said she will be putting the money toward college, where she hopes to study to become a radiologist. 

Franz was one of nine competitors in the Junior Apple Festival pageant.

Franz said she joined the pageant because she wanted to get more involved in the Niles community. Since the Apple Festival Court traditional helps with a number of community service projects, she felt the pageant would be a good way to do so.

Franz thanked her mom for being there to help her practice and prepare for the competition.

Rounding out the Miss Apple Festival court this year are Alexia Martinez, first runner up and Miss Congeniality and Maggie Mokwa. Martinez received a $750 scholarship for the first runner up title and $750 for the Miss Congeniality title. Mokwa received a $500 scholarship for winning second runner up. 

In the junior court Ann Youngs was selected as first runner up, winning a $300 scholarship; Allyssa Carmichael won second runner up, earning a $250 scholarship and Jocelyn Anderson was awarded the title of Miss Congeniality, earning a $300 scholarship.

The winners of the two $250 random drawing scholarships were Young and Mokwa.

For youth considering entering the pageant next year, Corzine encouraged them to try.

“You should do it because you make so many friends,” Corzine said. “We will be friends for life. Don’t think you won’t make friends because it is a really friendly environment.”

The 2017 Apple Festival Royalty will take part in the festival’s parade at 1:30 Saturday, Sept. 29. They will also be involved in numerous activities throughout the 45th annual festival, which begins at 3 p.m. Thursday.