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DOWAGIAC — A new reign of royalty began in Dowagiac Saturday night.

Amelia was crowned Miss Dowagiac 2025 Saturday evening at Dowagiac Middle School.

“I was really surprised,” Bakeman said. “It was a really nice surprise because all the girls were so amazing. You couldn’t have known who would win.”

Bakeman, 18, is the daughter of Ravan and Pat Bakeman. A Dowagiac senior, Bakeman is dual-enrolled at Southwestern Michigan College. She is a member of the varsity sideline cheer team, a member of the school’s Environmental Club leadership, the social media chair of National Honor Society, Student Senate President and a member of Humanities Club, Yearbook and Rotary Interact. She has received high honors and Student of the Month in October 2023.

She also enjoys reading, spending time with her family and friends, reading, dancing, watching movies and taking photos with her digital camera. Bakeman said her greatest accomplishment is being a big sister. After graduation, she plans to attend a four-year university and earn a degree in nutritional dietetics with the hopes of eventually becoming a sports nutritionist. She plans on continuing with dance through teaching it and hopes to travel the world. 

Joining Bakeman in her court of honor is first runner-up Meg Charles, second runner-up Lauren Balsbaugh. Bakeman, who also won Miss Congeniality, inherits the crown from Miss Dowagiac 2024 Natasha Griggs.

“[The girls and I] talked right before and everyone was super supportive of the final five,” Bakeman said. “I wasn’t really expecting anything. I was just very proud of myself already for making it that far and when they crowned second and first runner-up and I was already Miss Congeniality, I was fully expecting to just be pleased with Miss Congeniality because that’s a really huge honor. Being voted by the girls, that was so nice I could cry. Being crowned Miss Dowagiac, I was super surprised and with Tasha being my dance sister, it was really sweet that she crowned me. I have big shoes to fill.”

According to Bakeman, she chose to participate in the pageant with the hopes of making her family proud.

“It’s really special,” she said. “Dad has always told me about Miss Dowagiac was the thing I should do, my mom’s always been super supportive of anything I’ve ever done with dance and all my busy clubs and it’s just really cool and I really hope I make them proud because they make me proud with what they do.”

15 contestants were judged based on personal interviews and pageant night presentation skills including platform speeches. The pageant production also featured a performance by dancers from Green Dance Academy. Bakeman enjoyed the experience, especially the platform speeches.

“Even though it was the hardest part, every time we’d come back into the dressing room, everyone would cheer for each other and were listening to each other on the TV. It was really sweet.”

Bakeman looks forward to representing the Dowagiac community this year.

“It’s really special and I’m really honored to be here,” she said. “I feel like it really does depend on the day with judges and that any of the girls could have gotten it and done such a good job. I feel so attached to my community and receive so much love from everyone and I’m really wanting to make everyone proud.”