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NILES — Sparkling gowns and glittering crowns graced the stage at Niles High School last Saturday as area teens helped usher in the fall season.

Saturday evening, the Four Flags Apple Festival kicked off its pre-season activities with the annual Miss and Jr. Miss Apple Festival Pageant. The event brought together contestants from across southwest Michigan to compete for the coveted crown.

In the miss contest, Buchanan junior Sophia Madison was crowned the winner and Miss Congeniality. Aleyna Vollman was named first-runner up while Delandah VanDyke took second runner up.

Throughout the process, contestants had the opportunity to make new friends and sharpen public speaking skills. In addition, scholarships are awarded to the winners, with Miss Apple Festival receiving a scholarship toward higher education.

All entrants contestants were residents of the Niles Four Flags Area: Niles Township, Berrien Springs, Buchanan, Howard Township, or Brandywine OR must attend one of the following school districts: Niles, Edwardsburg, Buchanan, Berrien Springs, Brandywine, Cassopolis, or Dowagiac.

The Apple Festival kicks off at 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25 at the Apple Festival grounds, located at the corner of Lake and 17th streets.