This year’s Relay For Life in Madison County will include a pageant for girls, but it’s not your typical beauty contest.
“It’s more about raising awareness and increasing youth participation,” said Kristen Saddler, organizer of the Miss Relay For Life contest, which will take place at West Jefferson High School on June 7, a week before the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life weekend.
The contest, which is open to girls who live in Madison County, is divided into four categories:
1. Little Miss (ages 8-10)—Create a poster about why you participate in Relay or how cancer has affected your life. Entrants will be judged on their posters and their explanations of stage.
2. Junior Miss (ages 11-13)—Create a poster and give a three- to five-minute speech on a type of cancer.
3. Miss Relay (ages 14-17)—Create a poster and give a three- to five-minute speech on cancer prevention.
4. Miss Relay Supreme (all ages)—This category is open to anyone who competes in any of the other age categories. The winner will be the contestant who raises the most money for the American Cancer Society.
One person per category will be named a winner and receive a crown, sash and trophy. The four winners will participate in various facets of the Relay the next weekend at West Jefferson High School.
“Relay takes place after school is out, so we were trying to figure out a way to increase youth involvement,” Saddler said of how the contest idea came about.
The cost to enter the contest is $25 per person, which includes the $10 entry fee to participate in Relay For Life. All entry fees and money raised will go to cancer research and patient care. The deadline to enter is May 1. For an entry form, contact Kristen Saddler by e-mail at KSaddler92@gmail.com.
