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. Closing things out are contestants 9 and 10:

Contestant 9

Name: Lilith Craft

Age: 17

Height: 5 feet 6 inches

Eye color: Blue

Guardians: Pam LaVanway and Melissa Craft

Siblings: Brothers, Keegan and Kincade Craft; sister, Kenadie Craft

Schools attending: Dowagiac Union High School

Grade: 12th

School activities: Concert band and color guard

Outside activities: N/A

Interest and hobbies: Drawing, listening to music, reading and writing

Awards and honors: President’s award in elementary, honor roll throughout middle school and perfect attendance my junior year.

Three words to describe me: Opinionated, loyal and academic

Ambitions and plans after graduation: After graduation, I plan to attend college and become a veterinary technician. I also hope to visit a few foreign countries like France, England or Germany.

Greatest accomplishments: My greatest accomplishment so far would be making my high school color guard team the first year I tried out, even though I had no idea what I was doing or what any of the terms meant.

Why did you decide to compete for the title of Miss Dowagiac 2018? I decided to compete for Miss Dowagiac 2018 because I feel that it will be a great learning experience for me to expand on leadership abilities. I also feel this journey will help me open up more and have more confidence in myself.

Contestant 10

Name: Jessica Robison

Age: 17     

Height: 5 feet 8 inches   

Eye color: Blue

Parents/Guardians: Kim and Randy Robison

Siblings: Ryan Robison, Jewelianna Robison and Kayland Shepard

Schools attending: Dowagiac Union High School

Grade: 12th

School activities: Rotary Interact, theater, jazz band, solo and ensemble, chamber choir, robotics, pep band, honor choir, and track and field.

Outside activities: 4W-4-H, volunteering at Indian Lake Fire Department, crew member at McDonald’s, volunteer at Niles Haunted House, leadership classes and camps

Interests and hobbies: Playing guitar, singing and hanging out with friends and family.

Awards and honors: Drum major and varsity athletics.

Three words to describe me: Compassionate, diligent and intelligent

Ambitions and plans after graduation: After graduation, I plan on attending the Young Americans College of Performing Arts to pursue a degree in music education for middle and high school students.

Greatest accomplishments: My greatest accomplishment in life so far is becoming the drum major for the Dowagiac Chieftain Marching Band.

Why did you decide to compete for the title of Miss Dowagiac 2018? I decided to compete for the title of Miss Dowagiac 2018 because of what I feel I am able to give back to my community.