NILES — Aubrey Allen, 17, wanted to step out of her comfort zone and improve her skillset. Baylee Davis, 13, wanted to secure a second pageant win.

Saturday evening, both were granted a chance to see their wishes fulfilled by being crowned Miss and Jr. Miss Apple Festival 2019, respectively, at the Four Flags Area Apple Festival Pageant Saturday evening at Niles High School’s auditorium.

Miss and Jr. Miss Apple Festival 2018 Audrey Bakerson and Savannah Marinelli placed and pinned in Allen’s and Davis’ crowns as the two girls smiled and laughed in excitement.

Allen is joined by court members Annabelle Scally, first runner-up, and Neveah Williams, who was crowned both second runner-up and Miss Congeniality.

Baylee Davis is joined by court members Trinity Heighway, first runner-up, and Miranda Churchill, second runner-up and Miss Congeniality.

Allen and Davis each competed against six other contestants in personal off-stage interviews, a group dance, two formal appearances and an on-stage, on-the-spot question from emcee Sarah Rice Kruyer, who was crowned first runner-up in the same pageant in 1998.

Despite the imminent vying for two top spots, both winners said they enjoyed getting to know their fellow contestants during practices and the pageant. Some friendships had already existed; others blossomed.

“We’ve had a lot of bonding time, so I’m very, very happy with our court,” Allen said. “I’ll know we’ll do a great job.”

The Niles High School student said she is looking forward to being part of the festival parade, passing out candy and connecting with the community with her court. After the festival, she is looking forward to taking on a leadership role.

“I feel like I can definitely reach out into the community and be a support system and a positive influence for people,” she said.

One way she might do that is by raising mental health awareness. When asked by Kruyer what she would do on her first day as president, Allen said she would fix the mental health system in the country.

Allen said she has already made personal gains through the pageantry program, and future events as Miss Apple Festival will help her make more.

“I wanted to step out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I’ve never been in [a pageant] before, so I wanted to try something new and something that could increase my public speaking skills.”

On top of being royalty, Allen is also a member of National Honor Society, is a manager for the football team, is on the class advisory board and participates with the Niles FFA. After she passes down her crown, she hopes to get a bachelor’s degree in agriculture.

Although Davis is only in middle school, she has future plans as well. She hopes to go to the University of North Carolina to pursue a veterinary degree after graduation.

For now, though, she will continue to be a part of an equestrian team, cheerleading team and band through Eastside Connections School while being Jr. Miss Apple Festival.

Her mother, Becky Wicks, said participating in the festival’s pageant has been a longtime dream of Davis, a pageant enthusiast.

“This has been her ultimate goal, to become Jr. Miss Apple Festival,” she said. “She’s worked really hard. She’s done the work, and now she’s got the payoff.”

Davis was previously crowned Miss Pre-Teen Edwardsburg in 2016, but she said she still put in time studying her biography for her interview and working on her stage performances for the Apple Festival contest.

“I was nervous backstage, but when I got onstage, I was confident,” she said.

Allen, Davis and their courts will quickly put their royalty status to use. The groups met Sunday to go over their various roles at the Apple Festival, which lasts from Thursday, Sept. 26 to Sunday, Sept. 29.