A new queen will be crowned this weekend as 14 girls vie for the title of Miss Niles 2016.

The contest, now in its 81st year, will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 at the Niles High School Auditorium.

Also Sunday, 18 young girls ages 5 through 10 will compete for the title of Little Miss Niles. That pageant is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.

The theme for this year’s contest is, “Genie in a bottle,” keeping with Blossomtime Festival’s theme of “Greatest Hits of the Decades.”

The Miss Niles Scholarship Pageant is featuring hits from the ‘90s.

Each of the 14 contestants will perform a group opening number dance. Afterward, they will take part in a formal presentation in the evening gown of their choice. Finally they will all participate in an on-stage question-and-answer session in which they will share with the judges and audience a little about themselves.

Along with the crowning of the 2016 queen and her court, there will also be a farewell from the 2015 Queen Simone Smith and her Court of Honor.

Miss Niles 2016 will compete in the 2016 Blossomtime contest and take part in all of the Blossomtime events. During her reign, Miss Niles 2016 will make numerous appearances on behalf of our community and participate in service events.

Tickets can be purchased for $10 from any contestant or at the door.

Former Miss Niles queens are invited to attend with a complimentary ticket and will be recognized on stage.

To reserve a ticket, contact Angie Bielski or Monica Schrader by email at missnilesorganization@gmail.com, on Facebook or by phone at (574) 220-0233.

 

Miss Niles Contestants:

1 — Allie Turtle, 17, is a Niles High senior.

2 — Anna Lapham, 17, is a Niles High senior.

3 — Shelby Fortune, 17, is a Niles High senior.

4 — Emma Schmidt, 17, is a Buchanan High senior.

5 — Rachelle Dodge, 18, is attending Lake Michigan College.

6 — Contestant No. 6 dropped out

7 — Payton Morris, 18, is a Niles New Tech senior.

8 — Kaylee Snyder, 17, is a Niles High senior.

9 — Brooke Sinner, 18, is a Niles High senior.

10 — Brianna Gleason, 17, is a Brandywine High senior.

11 — Nevada Rodriguez, 17, is a Niles New Tech senior.

12 — Lynzi Kujawa, 17, is a Brandywine High junior.

13 — Nicole Benson, 17, is a Cedar Lane senior.

14 — Taylor Martinez, 17, is a Niles High senior.

15 — Allison Suckle, 17, is a Niles High senior.