The Miss Wylie Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant will return later this month, offering local students an opportunity to compete for scholarships while developing leadership skills, confidence and community involvement.<\/p>\n
Hosted by the Juneteenth Organization of Wylie, the annual pageant is set for Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30, at Trinity Friendship Baptist Church, 840 E. Brown St. in Wylie.<\/p>\n
Now in its sixth year, the program is open to girls from fourth grade through high school senior year and focuses on mentorship and personal growth in addition to competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur mission is to inspire, motivate, and uplift young women as they grow into independent, capable leaders who believe deeply in their ability to succeed,\u201d said Courtney Manning, pageant director. \u201cThis pageant is more than a competition. It is a space to develop new skills, form lasting friendships, and gain experiences that extend far beyond pageant day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Manning said contestants participate in mentorship activities that include interview preparation, etiquette courses and peer engagement training.<\/p>\n
Competition categories include interview, Afro-centric attire, talent, evening wear, photogenic and Miss Congeniality.<\/p>\n
Friday evening\u2019s activities will introduce contestants and the pageant\u2019s Royal Court to the community, while participants will also compete in the Afro-centric attire category. Saturday\u2019s events will feature talent and evening wear competitions, followed by the crowning ceremony.<\/p>\n
Winners will serve as ambassadors for the city of Wylie throughout the year, participating in community events including Boo on Ballard, the Wylie Christmas Parade, library reading events and volunteer\u00a0opportunities.<\/p>\n
Manning said Trinity Friendship Baptist Church was selected as the venue because of its continued support of both the pageant and the Juneteenth Organization of Wylie.<\/p>\n
The pageant also ties directly into the city\u2019s Juneteenth celebration efforts, with winners speaking publicly about the holiday and helping represent the organization throughout the community.<\/p>\n
Admission is $10 Friday and $15 Saturday at the door. Applications for this year\u2019s pageant are closed, but sponsorship opportunities remain available. Organizers said all sponsorship proceeds go directly toward scholarship funding for participants.<\/p>\n
Additional information, including donation opportunities, is available at the Miss Wylie Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant website or event.wyliejuneteenth.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n