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DOWAGIAC — Three Dowagiac teens will be representing their community throughout the year as members of the 2025 Miss Dowagiac Court of Honor.

Amelia Bakeman was crowned Miss Dowagiac 2025 Saturday, Jan. 11. Joining Bakeman in her court of honor is first runner-up Meg Charles and second runner-up Lauren Balsbaugh. In addition to her Miss Dowagiac title, Bakeman was also crowned Miss Congeniality.

“We were looking for young ladies who’re going to be a great role model to the young ladies here in town,” said Pageant Director Sara Lawrence. “We want somebody that’s going to represent our town and keep getting this tradition going and bring life back into this program. We were looking for somebody who was true to themselves, somebody who’s gonna be responsible, honest and humble and we have three great young ladies who are gonna do that.”

Charles, 18, is the daughter of Jesse and Katie Charles. She is a senior at Dowagiac Union High School and is dual-enrolled at Twin Cities Beauty College. She was a member of the sideline cheer team, competitive cheer team, journalism and yearbook club.

She has received the 2021 Senior Competition Dancer of the Year, Tumbling Dancer of the Year for 2022 and 2023 and  the 2024 Spotlight award for Dance.

Charles enjoys dancing, swimming, camping, trail riding on her four-wheeler, listening to music, photography and hanging out with their friends. She dances at Miss Michelle and Co. and for the MMC dance team. She said her greatest accomplishments are being a mainstream student at Dowagiac Union High School, graduating from speech therapy and the U-M cochlear implant Center, completing her 15th year of dance and her fifth year at MMC. After graduation, she plans to continue her education at Twin City Beauty College with the aspiration of establishing her own salon.

Balsbaugh, 17, is the daughter of Kayleigh and TJ Balsbaugh. She is a senior at Dowagiac Union High School and is dual-enrolled at Southwestern Michigan College. Balsbaugh participates in varsity sideline and competitive cheer, varsity tennis, student senate, environmental club, National Honors Society and Rotary Interact. She has received High honors all four years in high school, was named tennis MVP sophomore year tennis and earned certificate of excellence awards freshmen through junior year.

Balsbaugh enjoys paddle boarding, going to the beach, baking and hanging out with friends. After graduation, Balsbaugh will attend Grand Valley State University with plans to one day become a nurse practitioner.

Below, Charles and Balsbaugh shared their thoughts on their pageant experience, their goals and more. (Note: This conversation has been edited for both length and clarity.)

You’re Dowagiac royalty! What was going through your mind when you were crowned?

Charles: Whether I got the crown or not, I was still excited for the girls that were next to me because they’re like my sisters but once the crowd did hit my head, it brought me so much joy because I finally made, hopefully, a little bit of a change because I do have a hearing loss and I do have a disability.

Balsbaugh: I was just grateful to be in the top five and I was proud of everybody who had done the pageant, but especially the girls in the top five and I’m extremely proud of Amelia for winning both titles and Meg for getting first runner-up.

What was your favorite part of the pageant process?

Charles: Just being with the girls. We all were supporting each other. We all hyped each other up and it was just a lot of fun. We had a lot of laughs and smiles and we made an amazing experience.

Balsbaugh: I think the personal interview was probably my favorite part. You get to really sit with the judges and just have a really good conversation. It was just interesting because you get to have a little bit of a banter back and forth to learn about them as well.

What inspired you to compete in the pageant?

Charles: I just wanted to show that just because you’re different, that doesn’t mean you can’t win something or try something different. I just wanted to spread that message because I felt like an outcast and I’m so glad I did this because it shows that anything can happen and you can always achieve your goals.

Balsbaugh: My mom and I used to always go to the Miss Dowagiac Pageant. It was just an early memory for me and I know she wanted me to do it, so I did it for her.

What about this year are you most looking forward to as a member of the Miss Dowagiac court?

Charles: I’m looking forward to all the events we’ll be doing. That’s going to be a lot of fun, especially with the younger kids. I’m definitely excited to read stories to them or talk about yourself to them. I’m definitely looking forward to that.

Balsbaugh: I’m looking forward to getting to know Amelia and Meg a bit better. We’re all pretty close now, but I’m hoping to get even closer.

What does being crowned Dowagiac royalty mean to you?

Charles: It means a lot to me, I will say that. I’m really happy about it.

Balsbaugh: I’m just honored to have the responsibility to be able to represent our town and to be able to spend time with this amazing court.