By Staff
NILES – The Miss Niles-Brandywine pageant is this Saturday, Nov. 17, at 7 p.m. at the Niles High School Auditorium. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door for adults and $8 in advance and $10 at the door for children under 12.
The 10 2008 Miss Niles-Brandywine contestants are as follows:
Eliza Coquillard
Eliza Coquillard, contestant no. 1, a senior at Niles High School, is the daughter of Bob and Sue Coquillard. She is 17 years old, 5 ft. 5 in. with brown hair and blue eyes. After high school, she plans to become a high school science teacher. Her special honors include A/B honor roll all through school and the scholar athlete award program. Her other activities include, PSI: Postponing Sexual Involvement Teen Leader, Secretary of N-Club, senior editor for the yearbook and varsity golf. Her hobbies include scrap booking, shopping, going to the beach and spending time with friends and family.
Briana Kaye Donohue
Briana Kaye Donohue, 18, Contestant no. 2, is a senior at Niles High School. She is the daughter of Brian and Juli Donohue and is 5 ft. 7 in. with brown hair and hazel eyes. After high school, she plans to major in criminal justice with the intent of becoming a probation officer. Her special honors include A/B honor roll all through school, Niles High School Athletic Department's Academic Excellence Award, First runner up to Miss Heart of Blossomtime 2007, Second runner up to Miss Apple Festival 2005, Second runner up to Miss Michiana 2005, Miss Congeniality to Jr. Miss Apple Festival 2002, and Most Beautiful Smile award for Miss Michiana 2005. Other activities include missions trips with her church, Niles women's cross country team 2007, Niles women's soccer team, N-Club member, junior church teacher and nursery worker for her church, working at a tanning and hair salon since she was 14, DECCA Marketing club member and reporter for The Viking Journal. Hobbies include fitness training and running, playing soccer, leisure tennis, shopping, listening to music, watching movies and she loves to clean and organize.
Whitney Lin Spain
Whitney Lin Spain, contestant no. 3, is a senior at Niles High School. She is the daughter of Thomas and Vickie Spain, 17, and 5 ft. 5 in. with blonde hair and blue eyes. She plans to attend the University of Michigan to major in broadcast journalism and minor in Spanish. She believes it is critical to be bilingual in order to be a well-rounded journalist. Her special honors include Jr. Miss Apple Festival in 2003, Top Five Finalist in Miss Apple Festival 2006, Michigan Music Festival for eight years, high honors in the field of piano with an "excellent" rating, "All American" nomination by the National Cheerleaders Association for three consecutive years, and second place for individual stunt routine at the Michigan Spirit Open at Michigan State. Other activities include Student Council, Kiwanis Club, Spanish Club, Counterpoints, Accapella, women's choir, PSI: Postponing Sexual Involvement Teen Leader, DFP: Drug-Free Players, cheerleading, piano and working at Applebees. Her hobbies include spending time with family and friends, singing, dancing, dirt bike riding, writing poetry, attending school events (especially football games), community service and life-guarding.
Contestant #4
Stephanie Grace Stoops is a senior at Niles High School. She is the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Stoops. She is 17-years-old, 5ft 5in with brown/blonde hair and green eyes. After high school, Stephanie plans to attend Grand Valley State University and become a radiological technician. Stephanie's special honors and awards include honor student for the past 4 years and 2 years of Middle School, and Presidential physical fitness award for 4 years. Other activities that Stephanie is involved in include N-Club, Key Club, Varsity Volleyball, and Varsity Softball. Stephanie's hobbies include scrap booking, playing volleyball, and playing softball.
Contestant #5
Angel Brown is a freshman at Southwestern Michigan College. She is the daughter of John and Lisa Lidecker. She is 19-years-old, 5ft 4in with brow hair and green eyes. Angel plans to earn a bachelors degree from St. Mary's College in Sociology. Angel's special honors and awards include honor roll throughout Jr. and Sr. High School, Lt. Governor of the State of Michigan for Jr. Optimist Octagon International, Michigan Merit Award, Presidents Education Award, Excellence Award from Niles Athletic Department, Accelerated Reader Award, Math Olympiads Award, Niles Apple Festival Jr. Miss Congeniality 2003, Miss Apple Festival 2006, and 2nd and 3rd place awards in Michigan State Gymnastics competitions. Other activities that she is involved in include Niles Riverfest volunteer, Niles-Buchanan YMCA, and Anything That Floats Raft Race. When in High School, Angel participated in Track, Volleyball, Cross Country, Basketball, Student Council, DFP: Drug Free Players, DECA, Prom Committee, Counterpoints, and 7 years of choir. Angel's hobbies include reading, golfing, horseback riding, singing, dancing, running, bowling, and watching football.
Contestant #6
Stephanie Kolloff is a senior at Niles High School. She is the daughter of H. Paul and Ann Kolloff. She is 17-years-old, 5ft 6in with brown hair and blue-green eyes. After high school, Stephanie plans to attend either Arizona State University or the University of Arizona to study architectural and interior design. She plans to at least earn a Bachelor's degree, but is considering going through with a Master's. She says, "My roots will stay here in Niles, but I hope to be able to experience different states, maybe even countries, after I am through with college." Stephanie's special honors and awards include being ranked 30th in her class, 3.76 GPA, and Academic Excellence Awards from Niles High School Athletic Department. Other activities that Stephanie is involved in include National honors society, Student Council, Class officer, and N-Club. She has previous involvement in Spanish Club and The Viking Journal. She is also working to become a Eucharistic minister for her church and is looking into becoming a member of the Juvenile Restorative Board in Berrien County. Stephanie's hobbies include varsity Soccer, Niles Lady Viking Cross Country, U19 indoor soccer, working out, fishing, swimming, four-wheeling, biking, and working at the Paris Soda Shop in downtown Niles.
Contestant #7
Alyssa Corwin is a senior at Niles High School. She is the daughter of Monte and Norma Corwin. She is 17-years-old, 5 ft 3 with blonde hair and hazel eyes. After high school, Alyssa plans to attend a community college for two years and then transferring to Alma College. Alyssa's special honors and awards include a business, management, marketing, and technology award in computer presentations. Other activities that Alyssa is involved in include Student Council, Church Youth Group, Lake Ann Baptist Camp, Relay for Life, Officer of Key Club, Editor of Yearbook, and being an officer of PSI: Postponing Sexual Involvement. Alyssa's hobbies include scrap booking, going to the movies, taking walk s by the river with my dog, Chase, listening to music, taking pictures, designing on the computer, and spending time with family and friends.
Contestant #8
Becky Modlin is a senior at Brandywine High School. She is the daughter of Chuck and Debbie Modlin. She is 17-years-old, 5ft 4in with dark blonde hair and blue eyes. After high school she plans to attend St. Mary's College to major in Biology. After completing college at St. Mary's she plans to further her education and become a medical student. Her goal is to become a doctor in the NICU. Becky's special honors and awards include National Honor's Society, Spanish Honor's Society, Miss Congeniality for the Apple Festival 2007, and recognition from the society of Women Engineers. Other activities that Becky is involved in include Brandywine Economics International, Basketball team, Softball team, Volleyball team, and Student Council. . Becky's hobbies include hanging out with friends and family, participating in local activities, listening to music, driving, going to the beach, watching the sunset, and going to football games.
Contestant #9
Kayla Reeves is a senior at Niles High School. She is the daughter of James and Sharon Reeves. She is 17-years-old, 5ft 4 _ in with light brown hair and brown eyes. After high school, Kayla plans to attend Grand Valley state University to major in Physician Assistant studies. She would like to work in a hospital in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. Kayla's special honors and awards include two outstanding mathematics awards, honor roll all through high school, Homecoming queen, and acceptance into the Professional Health Careers Academy. Other activities that Kayla is involved in include Student Council for 1 year, Key club, PSI: Postponing Sexual Involvement and she has accumulated over 70 hrs. of volunteer work last summer at the YMCA. Kayla's hobbies include playing tennis, writing fictional stories, and improving her web design (HTML) skills.
Contestant #10
Katie Devine is a senior at Niles High School. She is the daughter of Douglas and Vicky Devine. She is 17-years-old, 4ft 11in with caramel blonde hair. After high school, Katie plans on attending either the University of Michigan or Purdue University to study within a Physician's Assistant program. Katie's special honors and awards include Secretary of Student Council for 2 years, Vice President of the National Honor Society, "Team Leader" for Drug free Player's, ranked 3rd in her senior Class, the "Academic Excellence Award" for maintaining a high GPA while participating in a sport, and the "Outstanding Performance Award" for achieving the top overall grade in Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, and Pre-Calc. Other activities that Katie is involved in include Student council, Science Olympiad, DFP: Drug-Free Players, National honor society, Varsity sideline Cheerleading, The Professional Health Careers Academy, and work at County Down Pastries and Deli. Katie's hobbies include cheerleading, scrap booking, traveling with family, listening to music, working out at the YMCA, shopping, hanging out with friends and family, taking photographs, volunteering in the community through clubs in school, and meeting new people.