On Thursday, January 15, twenty-eight shining contestants will begin competing for the title of Miss Starr's Mill 2009. The annual pageant takes place over a three day period.  Preliminary rounds beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. The finals, featuring the top ten from preliminaries, and the crowning of the queen will take place on Saturday, Jan. 17 starting at 7:30 p.m.  

Contestants are divided into two groups with one group performing their talent each night while the other group of contestants competes in casual and evening wear segments.  On Saturday the top ten contestants will be announced, their scores erased with the exception of interview, and the ten will then compete again in casual and evening wear as well as talent.

The pageant is under the direction of its originator SMHS drama teacher David Spearman. For the past nine years, under Spearman's direction,  the fundraiser for the drama department has grown to be the largest high-school scholarship pageant in the nation. The pageant will showcase the talent, intelligence, and beauty of the contestants as they compete for scholarship money totaling $5200.  The scholarships are made possible through the generous donations of sponsors including Alcan, McPherson Orthodontics, Chick-fil-a, and Southern Federal. Other in-kind donors who contribute to the success of the fundraiser include Airtran AIrways, Stallings Frame and Plaque Shop,  Peachtree Ciy Florist, as well as numerous parent and faculty volunteers.

The accomplished  contestants participate in casual wear, formal wear, talent, and personal interview. Scoring for the pageant is designed to recognize and reward talent and intellect.  Talent and Interview count 35 percent each towards contestants' overall scores, with casual wear and evening wear counting 15 percent each. 

This year's audience will be entertained with vocal, dance, drama, instrumental, as well as other performances.  "This year's talent portion of the pageant features some of the best talent we've seen in the history of this pageant" Spearman proclaimed. "For many former contestants, the pageant has been a catalyst as they start careers in the arts" explained Spearman. "Former contestant have gone on to achieve success in entertainment fields both in college and as professionals."  

Some of the many former contestants pursuing careers in the arts include LA actresses Crystal Nkwocha and Carlee Baker; Amy White, UGA graduate and intern at Good Morning America;  Mallori Carter theatre/acting student, New York City;  Mandee Kulaga NYU theatre major;  Rikki Purdy BYU music composition major.

This year's pageant will also feature a musical performance by last  year's queen Maegan Ewing and an appearance by Starr's Mill High school junior Brooke Fletcher, the reigning 2009 Miss Georgia Teen USA.

Tickets are $7 each night or a three day pass can be purchased for $15. For ticket information or future sponsorship opportunities call 770-486-2710 ext 132 or email spearman.david@fcboe.org.

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