By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
"Dancing Through the Decades" will determine Miss Dowagiac 2007.
Ten contestants for Sarah Ostyn's crown in the 68th scholarship pageant sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce include Brittany Bruens, Michelle Stelmasiak, Kristin Krueger, Katie Hewitt, Calie Daniels, Brittney Hill, Katelynn Roach, Sara Ausra, Candis Schonekas and Molly Seurynck.
Sixth-year pageant Director Tracy Galbreath said that dance steps of the 1950s, '60s and '70s will be featured.
"I love disco," she said. "That's my favorite decade. And we're going to bring back past queens to appear on stage."
The pageant takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center.
Interviews, lengthened from five to seven minutes, will take place the Sunday before (Jan. 21) at the Chamber.
Tickets cost $12 and will go on sale Saturday, Jan. 20, at a location to be announced.
Let's meet the first five contestants:
Brittany Bruens
Contestant 1
Age: 17
Parents: Kyle and Lynne Belew and Gordy and Tara Bruens
Siblings: Shaun, Shelby, Kenley, Lainey, Trevor and Austin
Height: 5-foot-6 Eyes: green
School activities: Student Senate, three years of varsity softball, three years of varsity volleyball, Varsity Club.
Plans: attend a four-year university
Outside activities: travel softball for four years for Stevensville's Great Lakes Lightning and Kalamazoo Klash
Interests/hobbies: softball, hanging out with friends, watching football
Greatest accomplishment: defeating Lakeshore in the softball district finals sophomore year after 13 long innings
Self-description: determined, responsible
Why did you decide to compete?: "Miss Dowagiac has been something I wanted to participate in since I was little. I am also looking forward to bonding with my fellow classmates and hopefully representing Dowagiac."
Michelle Rose Stelmasiak
Contestant 2
Age: 17
Parents: Gloria Koenig, Phillip Stelmasiak
Siblings: Curt Stelmasiak, Tim Stelmasiak, Kristan Stelmasiak and Constance (Lisa) Koenig
Height: 5-foot-3 Eyes: hazel
School activities: participated in Pep Band and Business Club. Jazz Band for three years, Concert Band for four years, Chieftain Marching Band for four years, drum major for three years. Also, varsity track for three years. She also plans on playing soccer and just joined Teen Advisory Board (TAB).
Plans: "I plan on going to a four-year college and major in general business, marketing or advertising. I would like to one day own my own business and sell clothing and accessories I designed."
Outside activities: 4-H
Interests/hobbies: "I have many, but to keep it short I will list my favorites. Writing poetry, riding and showing horses, watching movies, singing, dancing, drawing, painting, listening to music, spending time with friends, family and boyfriend, running, swimming and meeting new people."
Awards/honors: numerous 4-H awards, many awards/trophies for horse showing and riding, poetry contest finalist, National Honor Society nominee, near-perfect attendance awards, most improved in dance, 4-H Best of Show awards, outstanding achievement in history, high honors since seventh grade
Greatest accomplishment: "getting poems I wrote published in a poetry book, getting the position of drum major for our high school band and winning the award of overall senior grand champion for showmanship with my horse, Johnnie Be Good, at the 2006 Cass County Fair."
In three words: amiable, witty, loyal
Why did you decide to compete? "For many reasons. The main reason is because from all that I learn, I hope to become a more self-confident and refined woman. A woman who is a good role model/leader and who leads by example. She is comfortable with what she says and does. I also wanted to do Miss Dowagiac because I strongly believe it would be a positive experience and would leave me with lasting memories and friendships."
Kristin Ashley Krueger
Contestant 3
Age: 17
Parents: David and Debra Krueger
Sisters: Jessica and Lauren Krueger
Height: 5-foot-3 Eyes: brown
School activities: Drama Club vice president, band and, in her previous school, swim team, Foreign Language Club, German National Honor Society, and community service for everyone
Plans: attend college and get a master's degree in occupational therapy
Outside activities: youth choir director at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church, Teen Talk coordinator at Holy Maternity, Dogwood Tea participant, work at Murphy's Flowers
Interests/hobbies: music, swimming, reading, theater, singing, water sports
Awards/honors: honor roll since sixth grade, German National Honor Society
Greatest accomplishment: bringing youth involvement back into church
In three words: ambitious, caring, considerate
Why did you decide to compete?: "I am originally from a suburb of Chicago and I love the small-town atmosphere of Dowagiac. This is a great way to be very involved with the community."
Katie Marie Hewitt
Contestant 4
Age: 18
Parents: Larry and Julie Hewitt
Siblings: Laura and Clay Hewitt
Height: 5-foot-1 Eyes: green
School activities: cross country, softball, cheerleading, Varsity Club and journalism
Plans: "After graduation I plan on attending the University of Louisville, where I would like to get a degree in interior design while cheerleading on the Louisville All Girl Squad."
Outside activities: tumbling classes at Gymnastics Michiana, competitive cheerleading at Indiana Cheer Elite, attending Silver Creek United Methodist Church with her family and babysitting
Interests/hobbies: competitive cheerleading, tumbling, scrapbooking, shopping and swimming. Katie also volunteers with Dowagiac Ladies Library Association's book sales and at the Civitan Spring Fling.
Awards/honors: attended the Civitan Youth Leadership Camp and been named to Who's Who Among American High School Students for both academic and sports edition
Greatest accomplishment: winning the National Cheerleaders Association All Girl National Championship in Dallas, Texas, in 2006
In three words: vivacious, outgoing, bright
Why did you decide to compete?: "To follow in the tradition of my family as well as to have fun with my friends."
Calie Daniels
Contestant 5
Age: 17
Parents: Dave and Cathy Daniels
Height: 5-foot-8 Eyes: blue
School activities: three years varsity tennis, two years varsity volleyball, three years varsity softball, two-year Humanities Club member and one-year Student Senate member
Plans: to go to college and pursue a career in interior design
Outside activities: 4-H member, six-year youth draft horse member, Fuzion travel softball team player and Little League umpiring
Interests/hobbies: showing draft horses, making necklaces, volunteering to help with elementary art, bowling and reading
Awards/honors: 2004 and 2005 regional tennis champions, 2005 and 2006 regional softball champions, 2005 district champions for softball, 2005 honorable mention All-Conference tennis and Teen SERT member
Greatest accomplishment: "Coming back from an 0-2 count against Lauren Castonguay and hitting a single out to right-center to bring in the winning run against Lakeshore in the 2005 softball district championship game."
In three words: well-mannered, creative, determined
Why did you decide to compete? "to practice public speaking and to have one last hoo-rah with my friends."