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The Miss Dowagiac 2018 Court of Honor poses for a photo after Saturday's pageant. Pictured are, from left, Second Runner-up Jessica Robison, First Runner-up Haley Soderbloom, Miss Dowagiac 2018 Jadelyn Zimmerman and Miss Congeniality McKenzie Cross. (Leader photo/TED YOAKUM)

Jadelyn Zimmerman is crowned Miss Dowagiac 2018 by outgoing queen Emily Dodd. (Leader photo/TED YOAKUM)

Zimmerman takes her first walk as Miss Dowagiac. (Leader photo/TED YOAKUM)

Jessica Robison is crowned second runner-up by Amanda DeLong, last year's second runner-up.

Dodd crowns Haley Soderbloom as first runner-up. (Leader photo/TED YOAKUM)

DeLong crowns McKenzie Cross as Miss Congeniality. (Leader photo/TED YOAKUM)

DOWAGIAC — To Union High School senior Jadelyn Zimmerman, the most important aspect about the title of Miss Dowagiac is displaying confidence.

Judging by the fearless way she strode across the Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center stage moments after outgoing queen Emily Dodd bestowed the coveted crown and cape to the 17-year-old student Saturday, Zimmerman will have plenty of confidence to share with the community as she begins her reign.

The young woman was crowned Miss Dowagiac 2018 during the 79th annual pageant, which took place that evening at the middle school auditorium. Zimmerman was one of 10 Dowagiac Union High School students vying for the title during the event, organized by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce.

The theme of this year’s pageant was “Fearless.”

Zimmerman is the daughter of Tiara and Gary Zimmerman. She is involved with sideline and competitive cheerleading, color guard, winter guard, concert band, Front Row Crew and track at the high school.

The senior plans to attend Western Michigan University after graduation, where she will study behavioral analyzing, in hopes of one day working with those with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She also plans to join an ROTC program in college.

Zimmerman will receive a $4,000 college scholarship from the pageant.

Joining Zimmerman in her court of honor is 17-year-old Haley Soderbloom, who was crowned first runner-up; Jessica Robison, who was crowned second runner-up; and McKenzie Cross, who was selected as Miss Congeniality.

Soderbloom, the daughter of Paul and Cari Soderbloom, is the vice president of Student Senate and National Honor Society, and a member of Front Row Crew, Chieftain Heart, Humanities Club, and Rotary Interact Club. She plans to attend Hope College after graduation, to double major in dance and kinesiology, in hopes of becoming a dance therapist. She will receive $2,000 in scholarship dollars.

Robison is the daughter of Kim and Randy Robison, and is a member of the high school Rotary Interact club, theater, jazz band, solo and ensemble, chamber choir, robotics, pep band, honor choir, and track and field team. After graduation, she plans to attend the Young Americans College of Performing Arts to pursue a degree in music education for middle and high school students. She will receive a $1,500 college scholarship from the pageant.

Cross is the daughter of Les and Shannon Cross, and is a member of the high school student senate, humanities, and Rotary Interact club. She plans attend Southwestern Michigan College study nursing after graduation. She will receive a $250 college scholarship.

Also recognized Saturday was contestant Jamie O’Brien, who received the $400 Judy Dodd Community Service Award scholarship, as well as the pageant’s $250 Communications Award scholarship for her platform speech.

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