Kennedy Holloway crowned Miss Niles 2026
Published 11:29 pm Saturday, November 1, 2025
Kennedy Holloway was crowned Miss Niles 2026 Saturday night. (Maxwell Harden | Leader Publications)
(Maxwell Harden | Leader Publications)
The 2026 Miss and Mr. Niles contestants poses for a photo following the pageant. (Maxwell Harden | Leader Publications)
(Maxwell Harden | Leader Publications)
(Maxwell Harden | Leader Publications)
(Maxwell Harden | Leader Publications)
(Maxwell Harden | Leader Publications)
(Maxwell Harden | Leader Publications)
Little Mr. Niles Andrew Love and Little Miss Niles Mia Ibanez. (Maxwell Harden | Leader Publications)
The 2026 Miss Niles Court poses for a photo following the pageant. (Maxwell Harden | Leader Publications)
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NILES — The 100th anniversary of the Mr./Miss Niles Pageant was celebrated with much fanfare Saturday night.
Seven young women and four young men showcased their red carpet style and unique talents to become the face of the community in 2026. When all was said and done, Kennedy Holloway was crowned Miss Niles 2026 and Nathan Breland Mr. Niles 2026 Saturday evening at Niles High School. Holloway becomes the 89th Miss NNiles and Breland the 21st Mr. Niles.
The royal duo inherited their crowns from Miss and Mr. Niles 2025 Gabriella Gittens and Rowan Iwaniuk.
“In my head, I was thinking, ‘I don’t understand, how did I get here? I don’t know why I deserved it at that point,’” Holloway said.
“For me, it’s all the people that went into this,” Breland said. “It was a great opportunity, and I wouldn’t trade anything for it. The new friendships I’ve made along the way and getting to know all the incredible people behind this event are what first comes to mind.”
The event was the zenith of the Miss Niles pageant, in which Little Miss and Mr., Junior Teen Miss, Teen Miss and Miss and Mr. Niles titles were awarded by a panel of judges.
“I think [the judges] had a very, very tough job,” said Chairman Madelynne Rotondo. “We love all of our kids. We would have been thrilled with any one of them being king and queen, and I would not have wanted to be in [the judges’] shoes. All of these kids have put in so much work and that work paid off and we kept reminding them today is the day and you guys have worked hard up to this point and you just have to let God do his thing and he has a plan for us.”
The Miss/Mr. Niles Pageant is affiliated with the Blossomtime Festival. Established in 1906, Blossomtime is Michigan’s oldest and largest multi-community festival. This year’s Blossomtime theme is “Oh the places you’ll see,” inspired by Dr. Seuss. Each Blossomtime community will feature a major city across the world, with the Miss Niles Pageant presenting Rome: The Eternal City.
The pageant’s theme was “Rome: The Eternal City.” Rome is the capital city of Italy, known for its ancient ruins, world-class art, and landmarks. Contestants performed a dance routine before taking part in a question, a “commercial” presentation where each contestant selected a Roman deity and wrote and performed a commercial to advertise a product of theirs, a formal presentation and a fast walkthrough.
Kennedy attends Niles High School and is enrolled in the Allied Health program. She has been recognized as Student of The Month for her commitment to excellence. As a gymnast, she strengthened her discipline and perseverance, which helped her become a leader on the volleyball and tennis courts. In her spare time, she enjoys being a volunteer coach at various youth camps.
Holloway said she was inspired by her friend Amelia Rodgers, Miss Niles 2024, to participate in the pageant.
“She was a big part of my life growing up, and I think she is the reason I did this today,” Holloway said.
A junior at Niles High School, Breland is a member of the honor roll and National Honor Society. Usually a member of the backstage crew, Breland was excited to be on stage Saturday night. He is also a member of the student council, Business Professionals of America and holds the title of secretary in the Niles High School Culture Club.
He enjoys volunteering with children at vacation bible school and aspires to become a pediatric surgeon and to focus on supporting underserved communities.
Breland enjoyed getting to know his fellow contestants Trenton Scott, Jacob Iwaniuk and Beau Kirtdoll.
“It all started out with a meeting at the Embers,” he said. “It was just a lot of people I knew from school, like Trenton, Beau and Jacob. Two of them are seniors, and one is in my junior class with me. We already knew each other but we’ve definitely grown since the meeting and it’s been a great opportunity to get to know them.”
When asked about what she would want her Miss Niles legacy to be, Kennedy said she would like it to be her energy and passion for the program. Breland said he would like for people to remember him for being kind.
Holloway is eager to represent Niles in Blossomtime and make memories with her court.
“I’m looking forward to all the people I’m going to meet and the experience I will take with me throughout my whole life,” she said.
Breland is looking forward to representing Niles in local parades.
“When you’re little, you always see them up there on those floats and you think it would be really cool if I could be part of that,” he said. “I’m lucky enough to be part of a group of people who get to represent that, and that’s a really amazing opportunity.”
Throughout her reign, Holloway aims to inspire the next generation to be themselves and to try new things.
“I would tell them to be their truest self,” she said. “Don’t disguise yourself to be someone you don’t want to be.”
Miss/Mr. Niles Pageant results
Miss Niles: Kennedy Holloway
Mr. Niles: Nathan Breland
Miss Teen Niles: Isabelle Nelson
Miss Jr. Teen Niles: Annabel Strebinger
Little Miss Niles: Mia Ibanez
Little Mr. Niles: Andrew Love
