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Published: September 04, 2008 07:55 pm
Scholarship pageant sets tone for Mardi Gras 2009
Tommy Mann, Jr.
The Orange Leader
ORANGE —
It may not be February yet, but the first of many Mardi Gras activities is on the horizon.
The Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce, along with Lamar State College-Orange and Sabine Federal Credit Union, present the Miss Mardi Gras on the Sabine Scholarship Pageant, which is to be held Sept. 13 inside the Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School auditorium.
According to Sabrina Gray, president and CEO of the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce, the scholarship pageant has a long history.
“This is something that has been done for about 40 years,” Gray said. “It only underwent a branding change in the last couple of years to associate it with the Mardi Gras event.”
Mardi Gras will be held Feb. 12-14, 2009, on the grounds at the City of Orange Boat Ramp, located just off Simmons Drive.
The pageant is open to girls in 10 divisions ranging from ages 1-month to 19 years-old. The winner of the Queen division will receive a $1,500 scholarship to Lamar State College-Orange.
The divisions are Baby Miss, ages 1 month to 12 months; Toddler Miss, 1-year; Tiny Tot Miss, 2 years of age; Petite Miss, ages 3 and 4 years; Little Miss, 5 and 6 years old; Princess Miss, 7 and 8 years old; Debutant Miss, ages 9 to 11; Teen Miss, ages 12 to 14; Junior Miss, ages 15 and 16; and Miss, ages 17 to 19.
A registration fee is required and the deadline for registration has been extended to Sept. 10. Contestants entering the Miss Photogenic contest must submit at least one photograph, which has a Sept. 4 deadline.
The entry fee for Miss Photogenic is $10 for the first photo, and $5 for each additional photograph, and pictures can be 5 x 7 or 8 x 10 in size and either color or black and white.
All photographs will be judged on Sept. 5 and placed on display at Sabine Federal Credit Union on Strickland Drive.
Contestants in the scholarship pageant will be judged on beauty, appearance, poise, grace, personality and stage projection. Contestants will also model in sportswear and then either in a party or pageant dress of their choice.
Each division winner will receive a crown, sash, and large trophy, and the Queen will receive the $1,500 scholarship to LSC-O.
Winners will also be included in Mardi Gras festivities on the weekend of Feb. 12-14, 2009.
Chairperson for the Miss Mardi Gras on the Sabine Scholarship Pageant is Sherry Hommel, and emcee is Rocio Garza, television weather anchor for KBTV 4.
“This contest is open to any girl in the area,” Gray said. “You do not have to be from Orange to be included, and this is something we really want to encourage the whole family to attend and cheer on their favorite.”
Call the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce at 409-883-3536 for applications and information.
Reach this reporter at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2619 or tmann@orangeleader.com
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