The Miss Niles Scholarship Organization will crown its 77th queen at 3 p.m. Sunday.

The contest will be held in Niles at the Niles High School Auditorium.  Thirteen contestants will vie for an opportunity to become Miss Niles 2012.
The theme for this year’s contest is, “An Evening in the Amazon,” keeping with Blossomtime Festival’s theme of “Blossomtime Goes Wild … for Animals.”
Each of the 13 contestants will perform in an opening number dance.  Afterward, they will take part in a formal presentation in the evening gown of their choice. Finally, they will participate in an on-stage “Get to Know You” question-and-answer session in which they will share with the judges and audience a little about themselves.
Along with the crowning of the 2012 queen and court, there will also be a farewell from the 2011 queen, Samantha Low and Mr. Niles, Torence Witherspoon.  Each will be giving a farewell speech and a slideshow will be presented showing the queen’s 2011 reign.

The 2012 Miss Niles will compete in the 2012 Blossomtime contest and take part in the Blossomtime Goodwill Tour.  During the Goodwill Tour, she will travel Southwest Michigan’s farms, hospitals, nursing homes and schools.  She will also visit the Capital building in Lansing, Michigan and the Children’s Shriner’s Hospital in Chicago.
Tickets can be purchased for $15 ($10 for students) from any contestant or at the door. Nonperishable food items will be collected as donations for the Salvation Army Food Pantry at the event.
Call Tracey Hossfeld at (574) 323-8231 to reserve a ticket.

Abigail McKeel: Abigail is a 17-year- old senior at Niles High School. She is the daughter of Rick and Sheryl McKeel.  Abigail has been involved in NHS “N” Club for varsity athletes, student council, Drug Free Players and

volunteers at River Valley Equine Animal Clinic.  McKeel also was  fall homecoming queen and a scholar athlete.

Brittany Batson: Brittany is a 17- year-old senior at Edwardsburg High School.  She is the daughter of Ron and Diane Batson.  Brittany volunteers in the nursery and kitchen of her church, teaching first- and second-graders German, volunteering at Lakeland Hospital and going on a mission trip where she visited nursing homes and rebuilt homes.

Carllie Ray: Carllie is a 17-year-old senior at Niles High School.  She is the daughter of Denise Houck and Kenny Ray.  Carllie is involved in volunteering for the Salvation Army, Kids Night Out at the YMCA and Hunter Ice Festival, working concession stands for YMCA basketball and volleyball and assisting in teaching summer school at Ring Lardner.

Carly Beck: Carly is a 17-year-old senior at Niles High School.  She is the daughter of Tracy and Greg Beck.  Carly is involved in Relay for Life, Adopt a Family and tutors sixth-graders.  She has also been an honor roll student.  Carly enjoys babysitting, traveling, boating and snowmobiling, playing with her dogs and watching movies.

Celeste Neal: Celeste is a 17-year- old senior at Niles High School.  She is the daughter of Cicily Teutsch-Neal.  Celeste has been involved in NHS Pom Pon Team, S.A.D.D. and her high school bowling team.  She has also been an honor roll student. Celeste enjoys reading, playing video games, dancing, singing and

crafting.

Danielle Pompey: Danielle is an 18-year-old senior at Brandywine High School.  She is the daughter of Tony and Pam Pompey.  Danielle is involved in Student Council, BHS musical, blood drive, “Pinktober” for breast cancer awareness and Varsity Voices. She is vice president of student council.

Emily Archer: Emily is a 17-year- old junior at Niles High School.  She is the daughter of Timothy and Amy Archer.  Emily is involved in student council, volunteering for Howard-Ellis Elementary Summer School and Four Flags Area Apple Festival, Foreign Exchange Student Teen Board and soccer and golf.

Emily Mokwa: Emily is an 18- year-old freshman at Lake Michigan College majoring in psychology and criminal justice.  She is the daughter of Laurie and Todd Mokwa.  Emily has been involved in volunteering for United Way,

student council, Drug Free Players and  VIP for the Niles Police Department.

Kamber Hadley: Kamber is an 18-year-old senior at Niles High School.  She is the daughter of Kim McGregor.  Kamber is involved in Business Professionals of America, Students Against Destructive Decisions, SALT leader of her youth group, Graphics Club, and, Student Council.  Some of Kamber’s honors include receiving second at state and eighth  in national competition in Web application.

Katherine Luttke: Katherine is a 17-year-old senior at Niles High School.  She is the daughter of Alexandria and Edward Luttke.  Katherine is president of Graphics Club, state historian for Health Occupational Students of America, Secretary of Students Against Destructive Decisions, volunteers at YMCA Kids Night Out and Professional Health Careers Academy Clinicals at Lakeland Hospital.  Some of her honors include refirst place in regional competition at M.I.T.E.S., fourth place at H.O.S.A. State conference in medial photography, dean’s list at

Lake Michigan College, honor roll student and “Most Dedicated” award at band camp. She enjoys photography and swimming.

Kelsey Crago: Kelsey is a 17- year-old junior at Niles High School.  She is the daughter of Jennifer and Daniel Crago. Kelsey has been involved in basketball, Key Club and Drug Free Players.  Her hobbies include photography, traveling, spending time with family and friends and long walks with her dog, Bentley.

Maureen Craig:
Maureen is a 17 year old senior at Niles High School.  She is the daughter of James and Roberta Craig.  Maureen is involved in National Honor Society, class officer, Ronald McDonald House Teen Board, an officer for Postponing Sexual Involvement, Students Against Destructive Decisions and business editor for NHS’ Viking Journal newspaper.  Some of her honors include Athletic Scholar Award, President’s Excellence Award for Academics,

holding the record for the most 3-point shots in the state, Basketball All-Conference First Team and National Honor Society.  Maureen enjoys playing basketball and volunteering with the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Michelle Briand: Michelle is an 18-year old-senior at Niles High School.  She is the daughter of Christina and Richard Briand.  Michelle is involved in varsity volleyball, tennis and basketball, singing in her church choir, Students Against Destructive Decisions and working at the Rise N Shine cafe.  Some of her honors include Scholar Athlete Award, winning districts for basketball, Presidential Fitness Award, being in the top 10 percent of her class and planning on graduating with honors as a Board Scholar.