DOWAGIAC — The next group of local royalty will be crowed this Saturday, during the 79th annual Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Pageant.

Ten young women will take the Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center stage that evening, where they will be looking for a spot on the 2018 Miss Dowagiac Court of Honor — and competing for $8,500 worth of college scholarship money.

The pageant — which will feature the theme of “Fearless” — will be from 7 to 9 p.m. at the middle school auditorium, 57072 Riverside Drive. Tickets cost $15, and may be purchased from the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce office, located inside the historic downtown train depot, at 200 Depot Drive.

Over the next week, the Dowagiac Daily News will feature the profiles of this year’s contestants. The list continues with contestants 5 and 6:

Contestant 5

Name: Natalie Davis

Age: 17

Height: 5 feet 3 inches

Eye color: Hazel

Parents: Jim and Wendy Davis

Siblings: Brother, Jacob Davis

Schools attending: Dowagiac Union High School and Southwestern Michigan College

Grade: 12th

School activities: Vice president of the Jobs for Michigan Graduates program, humanities club, student senate and Rotary Interact.

Outside activities: President of my 4-H club, volleyball and softball

Interests and hobbies: Volleyball, softball, camping and hanging with family and friends

Awards and honors: I’ve been on high honors or honors in every semester. I was awarded honorable mention three years in a row for volleyball

Three words to describe me: Compassionate, thoughtful and athletic

Ambitions and plans after graduation: I plan on attending SMC to further my education in nursing. I want to eventually become a neonatal nurse.

Greatest accomplishments: Receiving three offers to play volleyball in college

Why did you decide to compete for the title of Miss Dowagiac 2018? I decided to compete for Miss Dowagiac 2018 because everyone that I’ve talked to that has competed in previous years, (whether they won or not) had a great time and made many new friends.

Contestant 6

Name: Taylore Froehlich

Age:17

Height: 5 feet 7 inches

Eye color: Hazel

Parents: William and Michele Froehlich

Siblings: Brother, Brody Froehlich; and sister, Michala Froehlich

School attending: Dowagiac Union High School

Grade: 12th

School activities: National Honor Society, Southwestern Michigan College, softball (12 years), volleyball (five years)

Outside activities: Dance (15 years)

Interests and hobbies: Traveling, makeup, shopping, hanging out with friends and family, and camping 

Awards and honors: High honor roll, sophomore MVP for softball, 2017 Most Outstanding Senior Dancer, National Honor Society and 2017-2018 dance captain

Three words to describe me: Motivated, dependable and compassionate

Ambitions and plans after graduation: After graduation, I want to further my education by attending Southwestern Michigan College and enroll in their nursing program. Once graduated, I will transfer to a university to get my master’s degree to become a nurse practitioner.

Greatest accomplishments: When I got second overall trophy on my lyrical duet for dance at one of the largest national dance competitions. Also, putting together a successful school dance with three other classmates to raise money and donate it to a local cancer charity.

Why did you decide to compete for the title of Miss Dowagiac 2018? I decided to compete for the 2018 title of Miss Dowagiac because I think it would be an amazing experience to get a chance to represent my community. I also am so excited for the everlasting friendships and memories that I will make and cherish forever.