LAKE COUNTY — This summer will see the first ever pageant for teens aspiring to the title of Miss Lake County Outstanding Teen. Pageant Coordinator Patricia Combs said it will be held in conjunction with the Miss Lake County pageant this summer.
Combs said her daughter, Sandra Combs, crowned Miss Lake County in 2006, spurred the change about a year ago. Combs said the idea was that contestants would be more prepared when they go on to compete for the title of Miss California, and then on to Miss America.
“We discussed it with the Miss Lake County committee at length and decided it was a a real need, because these girls need to prepare at a younger age, not only for pageantry but for life itself,” said Combs.
Teen girls between the ages of 13 and 16 would be eligible to enter, for a $250 fee, said Combs. She said after hearing from parents in the community who take their teen daughters to competitions outside the county for fees ranging between $400 and $600, she”s seen a lot of interest in the teen pageant.
While she didn”t have exact numbers of interested teens, Combs said the process of putting a limit on the number of contestants that would be allowed in the teen pageant is still underway. Since the two pageants will be held at the same time, on the same stage, her concern is not making the pageant too long.
In addition to the crown, the winner of the teen pageant would get a scholarship, said Combs, as does Miss Lake County. The dollar amount and structure of the scholarship are still under discussion.
Combs noted that a “sportswear” component would replace the swimsuit portion of the traditional competition for the teens, in which contestants would wear an outfit appropriate to the sport in which they are involved.
What the judges will be looking for in a potential Miss Lake County Outstanding Teen is much the same as what they”ll look at in a Miss Lake County contestant: confidence, poise, intelligence, honesty and compassion to name a few.
Combs noted the importance in the competition of a young woman”s platform to the competition”s goal of involving contestants in community service. “It gets you thinking about finding the reason why you”re on earth. Why are you passionate about life? Is it feeding hungry children, or making sure people vote? A lot of them (young teens) already have things that are important to them, like cleaning up the highway or working at the humane society,” Combs said.
Exploring how to dress appropriately, wear makeup, use table manners and prepare for job interviews were other benefits of the program, noted Combs. “A lot of them don”t have mothers. These days with both parents working, kids are by themselves a lot of the time. It”s important for them to have role models.”
Combs said she hoped to see Miss Lake County contestants mentoring the teen contestants, who already look up to the older girls.
“It”s important for young women to have a committee of people cheering for them on to be the best young ladies they can be and to have self respect, motivation and self confidence,” said Combs.
For more information or to register for either pageant, visit the Miss Lake County Scholarship Organization”s Web site at www.misslakecounty.org or call 263-1667.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
