NILES — Saturday night, a hush fell over an eager crowd in the Niles High School auditorium, just moments before the newest Miss Apple Festival would be chosen.

As the seconds ticked by, the final two contestants standing center stage, Audrey Bakerson and Hannah Bradbury, clutched their hands in support. Cameras were poised above the heads of those in the audience, ready to capture the moment. At last, Bakerson was crowned, and the 16-year-old broke into a wide grin as the crowd and her family cheered in support.

Following the announcement, Miss Apple Festival 2018 stood with an arm full of flowers and said she was still in shock.

“My hands are still shaking,” Bakerson said. “It feels kind of surreal.”

The Miss and Junior Miss Apple Festival scholarship pageant drew a crowd of about 100 to take part in the festivities. This year, there were four contestants vying for a spot on the Miss Apple Festival court and seven contestants competing for the Junior Miss court.

The competition marked Bakerson’s first pageant. Bakerson said she was motivated to try out for the pageant because she wanted to have a community platform to address bullying and self-esteem issues in youth. She said these are challenges she battled as a middle schooler and hopes to bring them to the forefront in her reign.

“Just to have the platform to make that impact and also just to have fun and make new friends,” Bakerson said. “Since I was bullied in middle school, I want to get across to people that it’s OK to go and talk to someone. It’s OK [if] you are bullied, because you can recover after.”

Every year, contestants who compete in the scholarship pageant are asked one question on stage. They must answer on the fly, demonstrating poise as they answer. This year, contestants were asked whether they thought pageants have value, given their criticism for being focused too much on outward appearance. Bakerson said she believed pageants do have value and that the experience had helped her gain character and make new friends in the process.

Bakerson is a junior at the Berrien County Math and Science Center and she is on a FIRST Robotics team. She said she is considering pursuing a degree in the medical field and potentially a career as a dermatologist. She is the daughter of Michael and Michelle Bakerson.

Those selected to lead the 2018 Miss and Junior Apple Festival courts help to serve as ambassadors to the annual Apple Festival. The team of youth also has the opportunity to get involved in their community through various community service projects, including visiting senior centers and reading to elementary school children.

Also wearing a crown Saturday night, was the newest Junior Miss Apple Festival Layla True, 13, of Dowagiac. She is a student at Ross Beatty Junior/Senior High School.

Like Bakerson, True said she was also feeling a little “shocked” after claiming the title.

“I said I wasn’t going to cry, but it’s been an outstanding experience that I will never forget,” True said.

True has claimed titles in pageants in the past. When she was around 9 years old, she was crowned Apple Festival Princess and first-runner up to Little Miss Niles.

True said she most enjoyed getting the opportunity to meet new people that she would otherwise have not had the opportunity to meet.

On stage sharing a few happy tears was True’s mom, Kim True.

“There are no words,” Kim said. “She makes us proud every day and today she gets recognized for how awesome she is.”

Rounding out the 2018 Miss Apple Festival court are Mackenzie Wideman, first runner-up; Shelby Jaynes, second runner-up and Hannah Bradbury, Miss Congeniality. On the Junior Miss court the winners were Savannah Marinelli, first runner-up and Miss Congeniality and Mattigan Riggenbach, second runner-up.

Court winners not only earned crowns and sashes, but also scholarships. Miss Apple Festival was awarded $1,000; first runner-up $750; second runner-up $500 and Miss Congeniality $750. Junior Miss Apple Festival received a $500 scholarship; first runner-up $300; second runner-up $250 and Miss Congeniality $300. Two $250 scholarships were also given away during a drawing.

As the Four Flags Area Apple Festival kicks off Sept. 27 to Sept. 30, Bakerson said she is looking forward to taking part in the festival, particularly the scarecrow judging competition, because it involves a lot of creativity.

“I’m of course looking forward to going to the Apple Festival, because that is the main event,” Bakerson said.