26 contestants vie for Miss Starr’s Mill title

The 2008 Miss Starr's Mill High School Scholarship Pageant kicked off last night with the first of two preliminary rounds, and area residents will have two additional nights to check out this annual event.

This event, a fund raiser for the Starr's Mill Drama Department, showcases the talent, intelligence and beauty of 26 contestants. The contestants are competing for scholarship money totaling $5,200.

“We are the largest high school scholarship pageant in the nation,” proclaimed David Spearman, the drama teacher at Starr's Mill. “We started this program seven years ago with a $500 scholarship, and now it has grown to more than $5,000. We're very proud of that.”

Spearman explained that the money comes from corporate sponsors and individuals who contribute to the fund. “It simply could not be done without McPherson Orthodontics, Alcan, Chick-fil-A, Hella and other contributors. They have been very supportive of our program,” Spearman added.

The contestants participate in casual wear, formal wear, talent and personal interview. Talent and interview count 35 percent each towards contestants’ overall scores, with casual wear and evening wear counting 15 percent each.

“This program is designed to recognize and reward talent and intellect,” Spearman explained.

The contestants were divided into two groups who perform over two preliminary nights, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. On Feb. 2, the contestants meet with the panel of judges for a personal interview. After that, the scores are tallied and the ten highest scores become the top 10.

Saturday night’s portion of the three-evening event will culminate with the top ten being announced. Scores for the top 10 are erased, with the exception of the interview score, and the ten will then compete again in casual wear, talent and evening wear.

“Preliminary nights are fun because the audience gets to see a little bit of everything,” said Mallori Carter, the reigning Miss Starr's Mill. “One night group A does casual and evening and group B does talent. The next night the groups switch. At the end of each night a casual, evening and talent winner is announced. It's the ultimate in reality shows!”

Friday night’s event begins at 7 p.m. and Saturday’s begins at 7:30 p.m. at the school. Tickets are $7 each night. For ticket information, call 770-486-2710 ext. 132, or email spearman.david@fcboe.org.

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