needs volunteers, sponsors

Staff Writer

Volunteers interested in the betterment of young ladies are needed for the reorganized Miss Union Scholarship Pageant.

“Improving South Carolina through the empowerment of young women - that's the mission statement for the Miss South Carolina Organization,” said Amanda Ferguson, local executive director of the Miss Union Scholarship Pageant. “That wil#l be our aims and goals as far as the local organization.”

The focus of the Miss America Pageant is to crown a woman with all-American looks who is physically fit, self-confident and knows how to meet and greet the public. This also will be the focus of county and state pageants in the Miss America system.

The Miss Union and Miss Union Teen pageants, which will be open to contestants within a 30-mile radius of Union, will be held July 26 at Sims Jr. High. Contestants for Miss Union must be 17 to 24 years old and at least a senior in high school. Miss Union Teen contestants must be 13 to 16 years old a junior in high school or under.

Leading up to July pageant, a number of fund-raisers are planned and sponsorships are being sought from individuals and businesses. Donations are tax-deductible.

On April 3 from 6-8, the Miss Union pageant will host a skate at the Union Skate Center. Admission is $4 for all ages.

On April 12, the Miss Union Princess Pageant will be held at Sims Jr. High. Winners will have the opportunity to participate in the opening production of the Miss Union Pageant. This pageant is open to girls from birth to age 16. Money raised will go toward production costs for the July pageant, to pay for scholarships and to the Children's Miracle Network. The network is the national platform for the Miss America Pageant. Last year, the Miss South Carolina Pageant raised $54,000 for the network, with all the money staying in the state to help local children.

People who have agreed to volunteer with Mrs. Ferguson for the pageant include Beth Howell (Smith's Jewelry Store), Katie Beth Robinson, Jessica Suber, Cayse Crawford, Allyson DeHart, Hannah Lee Peay, Jessica Davis, Allie Wells, Kacie Gregory, Heather Daum and Melinda Wilburn - Mrs. Ferguson's mother - who is the co-local executive director.

Many of these women are former title holders. Mrs. Ferguson said any former title holder who has not been contacted, or any other person interested in volunteering may call 427-3262 or 426-6536 or 426-0269.

“We want people in town to support us, not just financially,” said Mrs. Ferguson, adding that it would be a positive feather in Union's cap to a send girl to Miss South Carolina who took home the crown. “We as a small town can come together on a small level to make something really big happen.”