The 11th annual Miss Starr’s Mill High School Scholarship Pageant will be held January 5, 6, and 7, 2012. The pageant, which is the annual fundraiser for the Drama Department at Starr’s Mill, has grown to be the largest high school scholarship pageant in the nation. This year it will award about $7,000 in college scholarships.
“Our donors have been very good to us,” says pageant founder and director David Spearman. “Even in hard times, they keep coming back and supporting this program.” Donors include: Dr. Scott McPherson, The Southern Federal Credit Union, Georgia Digestive Health Care, Chick-fil-A, Zach Stutts and newcomer Craig Evans of State Farm Insurance.
There are 25 contestants this year vying for the scholarship monies and the title of Miss Starr’s Mill 2012. Contestants, who participate in casual wear, evening wear, performing talent and personal interview, include: Michelle Smartt, Maddi Fultz, Brianna Cheeks, Chelsea Chaney, Megan Sutliff, Heather Tucker, Shandry Wilckens, Sarah Conklin, Kristen Curry, Micole Mayfield, Lauren Roland, Danielle Johnson, Susan Allen, Megan Lamneck, Rachel LaRocca, Jessica Kurtz, Rebecca Marshall, Merianna Pitts, Melissa Hansen, Mikaela Gray, Emma Robbins, Sarah Burney, Haley Strauss, Carly Baker and Franziska Halms.
On the two preliminary nights, the contestants are divided into two groups. On Thursday, Group A competes in casual wear and evening wear, while Group B performs talent. On Friday, the groups swap events. Preliminary winners are named for each category each night.
On Saturday, all 25 contestants meet with the judges for an interview. Then, Saturday evening, the top 10 are announced; all scores are erased, except for the interview; and the top 10 once again compete in talent, casual wear and evening wear. After the three onstage categories, the top 5 are announced in random order. These finalists then have to answer a question on stage, before the judges mark their final ballots to determine the runners up and the winner.
“It’s an incredible three nights,” says Spearman. “We have some spectacular talent, and these girls are very bright. By the time we get to Saturday night, it’s an amazing show!”
For ticket information, call the school at 770-486-2710.
