By By JOHN EBY / Cassopolis Vigilant
CASSOPOLIS - Miss Cassopolis 2006 Anjel Francisco was the one of four contestants Saturday night at Ross Beatty Junior-Senior High School auditorium who didn't identify country as the music genre that best describes her personality.
Anjel, wearing a blue gown, will represent the village at Blossomtime March 5-6 at Lake Michigan College near Benton Harbor.
Anjel, 17, of Cassopolis, is a senior at Ross Beatty Junior-Senior High School and the daughter of Hiawatha Francisco.
After graduating, Contestant 4 wants to attend St. Xavier University in Chicago, majoring in pre-medicine.
First Runner-Up and Miss Entrepreneur Amanda Ampey, 17, of Cassopolis, a junior at RBHS, is the daughter of Ron and Rosie Ampey. She was still on stage when she received a cell phone call from her brother in Baghdad.
Amanda, who also chose a blue gown, wants to attend Southwestern Michigan College and enroll in its nursing program. Amanda's involved in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and on A-B honor roll. Amanda is an FFA member, plays softball and is in her church youth group.
Second Runner-Up Cally McMillen Hass, 17, of Cassopolis, is an RBHS senior and the daughter of Dean and Glenda Hass. She plans to attend Michigan State University for an agriscience degree to teach and be an FFA adviser.
Cally, who wore a red gown, has been a delegate for 4-H Citizenship Washington Focus and the National 4-H Congress. Cally, Contestant 3, received a Michigan Outstanding Junior Agricultural Award and academic recognition.
Miss Congeniality Janae Danzy, 17, of Cassopolis, is an RBHS senior and the daughter of Craig and Sheila Danzy. Janae plans on attending Oakland Institute in Kalamazoo to pursue a dental hygiene career. She has received the National Youth Volunteer Award and made A-B honor roll.
In the companion second annual Little Mr. Cassopolis contest, 2005 winner Austin Green returned to crown Austin Wray and to escort the young ladies. Hesston Wallace also vied for the boys title.
A dozen girls competed for Little Miss Cassopolis, which went to Contestant 10 Monica Ward.
Also trying to succeed Noelle Kraus were Kaylyn Forrest, Chelsea Wilson, Beth Brown, Wynn Stitt, Madeline Collins, Vivian Williams, Stacey Horstmann, Jami Suseland, Kelcie McCully, Taylor Hulett and Erica Williams.
Miss Cassopolis 2004 Linaya Hass, presented Ashley with a scrapbook chronicling her reign.