Publisher Bailey Hufstetler
The Spring City Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for their Miss Spring City Scholarship pageant again this year. This program is designed to help teach students different skills and attributes during the pageant and interview process that students have to participate in, and also provides them with financial opportunities for furthering their education beyond high school.
“The program is extremely beneficial to the young women in our community,” says Michelle Ray, Chamber Board Member/ Scholarship Pageant Director.
This years program scholarship levels are:
Young Miss (6th-8th grade) $150 scholarship
Junior Miss (9th-10th grade) $500 scholarship
Miss Spring City (11th-12th grade) $1,000 scholarship
Collegiate Miss (18-21 years old) $500 scholarship (graduates in post secondary school)
“This program allows the contestants to compete for scholarships to lessen the burden of higher education costs,” Michelle Ray states. “More than scholarships though. It gives them an opportunity to gain public speaking skills and stage presence experience as well.”
This pageant is a scholarship pageant, therefore, the contestants have to do just a little bit more than show up on stage and talk to a crowded room full of people about what their future plans are. They have to complete an interview with the panel of judges the morning of the program before the pageant portion of the program even begins.
That evening at the pageant portion of the program, contestants will get to present themselves in their “pageant best” not only to the judges, but to the room crowded with family and friends showing their support.
“This program builds confidence leadership skills, and I believe it encourages them to become women who supports and cheers on other women,” says Michelle Ray.
Now there is more to this program than just the scholarship portion. The Chamber does offer an opportunity for the little ones, who aren’t quite ready for the scholarships just yet.
From Birth- 5th graders, there is a category you can participate in as well! They won’t have to go through the interview process like the scholarship portion. They get to show up in their pageant attire and astound the crowd.
“The non scholarship portion of the program for the little ones serves as a feeder program for the scholarship divisions and allows them to experience of being on the stage,” says Michelle Ray.
The Miss Spring City Scholarship pageant is Saturday April 6th. The non scholarship portion will be at 9:00 am with the scholarship portion being at 5:00 pm. Both portions will take place at Spring City United Methodist Church.
Applications can be obtained online at http://www.springcitychamber.org, in person at the Depot, Spring City Elementary, Spring City Middle, and Rhea County High School.
For more information on this wonderful program, contact the Spring City Chamber of Commerce.
This article was written by Publisher Bailey Hufstetler. He can be reached for comment at bailey@rheacountyobserver.com.
Pictures are of current title holders promoting the program to the local schools to help boost participation in the program.