contestants, sponsors

Staff Writer

Amanda Ferguson says she sees the Miss Union and Miss Union Teen pageants as more than just beauty showcases.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to open many doors - a life's ambition and many goals,” said Mrs. Ferguson, local executive director of the pageants.

The Miss Union and the Miss Union Teen pageants will be held in the auditorium at Sims Jr. High on Saturday, July 26 at 7 p.m. The pageants are open to girls and women ages 13 to 24 within a 30-mile radius of Union. The winners will compete in either the Miss South Carolina or Miss South Carolina Teen pageants in July 2009.

The winner of the Miss Union Pageant will receive a $1,000 scholarship. Miss Union Teen will receive a $500 savings bond. There are also other prize considerations for both winners.

The Miss Union Court of Queens Pageant will be held Friday, July 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Sims Jr. High and is for girls up to age 12. This pageant is a fund-raiser for the Miss Union and Miss Union Teen pageants.

The deadline for applications for all pageants is July 7.

Local sponsors -businesses or people - are needed to purchase Miss Union's crown, which will cost $130, Miss Union Teen's crown, which will cost $105 and sashes for each queen, which will cost $35.

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Anyone interested in participating in a pageant or who wants to be a sponsor may call Mrs. Ferguson at 427-3262 or 426-6536. Her email address is miss.union@yahoo.com.