Ydalee Sotelo crowned Miss Niles 2020

Published 8:45 am Tuesday, January 21, 2020

By Beau Brockett Jr.

NILES — Ydalee Sotelo said she takes a lot of pride in Niles. She enjoys helping its residents and giving back to the community that raised her.

As of Saturday afternoon, her ability to do so expanded. Sotelo, a 17-year-old from Niles High School, was crowned the 85th Miss Niles 2020 by her predecessor, Aliea Bakerson, Saturday afternoon at Niles High School. The crowning was the culmination of the Miss Niles pageant, in which Little Miss and Mr., Junior Miss and Mr. Teen and Miss Teen Niles titles were given by a panel of judges.

“We’re going to Disneyland,” Sotelo joked after her crowning, a reference to a 1980s Disney ad that asked top athletes how they were going to celebrate a big win.

On a more serious note, Sotelo thanked those who supported her and were excited to see her compete.

“I was actually very nervous,” she said. “I really wanted to do this just to make myself more outgoing, meet new people. I’m a very shy, quiet person, so I think this will definitely help me come out of my shell a little bit.”

Sotelo participates in cheerleading, bowling, choir and peer-to-peer mentoring at Niles High School. She plans to attend Twin City Beauty College in St. Joseph to become a cosmetologist after graduating.

Like other contestants of different categories, Sotelo performed a dance routine — in her case, “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus. Then, she took part in a formal presentation, a question and a fast walkthrough.

Prior to the competition, she had a private interview with the judges.

It was Sotelo’s first pageant, and she was Miss Niles’ sole contestant.

Mattalyn Weinberg’s experience with the Miss Niles pageant was much different. The Miss Junior Teen winner said prior experiences in the spotlight made her relaxed when on stage.

The 12-year-old student at Brandywine Middle School has performed in multiple theater productions, showed at the Berrien County Youth Fair and taken part in other pageants.

“I’m looking forward to making a lot of friends with the court,” she said.

Among her potential new friends are Lexi Garlanger and Legna Marczewski. Garlanger was crowned Miss Teen Niles and Marczewski was her first runner-up.

Jake Iwaniuk, Mr. Junior Teen Niles 2020, will become a potential friend, too.

The other “Mr.” competitor of the afternoon was Aiden Woods, 9, who was crowned Little Mr. Niles 2020. He was joined by Little Miss Niles Quinn McGinnis, first runner-up Autumn Billingsley and second runner-up Sophia Tucker.

“I love pageants,” the 9-year-old Niles Adventist School student said.

In his hands was BB-8, a plush droid from the “Star Wars” franchise. He received it from his mother after his win because only Miss Niles winners receive a gift — in their case, flowers.

His mother said Woods loves Niles’ numerous events and offerings, and as Niles royalty, he will be able to attend them in new way.

Woods is especially a fan of the Niles History Center. The staff know him by name.

“They even say probably one day I’ll run and own the history museum,” he said.

Woods and other royalty were able to participate in their first Niles event the next day.

From 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., they volunteered at the UltraCamp warming station in downtown Niles for the Hunter Ice Festival, serving hot chocolate and popcorn while greeting people. The younger courts also made a trek on the rock wall.

Afterward, the group went to Healthy Habits for drinks and pictures.

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