Pageant to help raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network

Published 11:34 am Friday, May 12, 2017

An evening of pageantry and fun while raising money to help support the Children’s Miracle Network is just around the corner as the Miss Watauga Valley organization sponsors a fundraiser pageant on May 28.

“All proceeds from the pageant will go to the Children’s Miracle Network,” said Chana Kirby, one of the organizers of the event.

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is a non-profit organization operating in the United States and Canada that raises funds for children’s hospitals, medical research, and community awareness of children’s health issues.

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“One in 10 kids in North America are treated at a Children’s Miracle Network hospital each year,” Kirby said. “Sixty-two children enter a Children’s Miracle Network hospital every minute. Basically, more than one child a second is treated through the Children’s Miracle Network.”

There are five CMN hospitals in Tennessee, with one of those being Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport.

Kirby said funds raised locally for CMN will remain with the local CMN program.

When thinking of ways to raise money for CMN, Kirby said she felt having a pageant would be a fun way to accomplish that goal. Kirby said the event will also allow community members who may be interested in participating in pageants a way to try it out without the pressure that comes with competing on the official level.

“Fundraising pageants are a great way to see if you like doing pageants,” Kirby said. “It’s a great way to get your feet wet. We want it to just be a fun afternoon.”

The Little Miss Watauga Valley Pageant will be held on Sunday, May 28, at 3 p.m. with doors opening for seating at 2:30 p.m. The entry fee to compete is $75. Admission to watch the pageant for non-contestants is $5.

The pageant will feature contestants from infants through adults divided into the following age groups with the listed titles:

• 0-11 months – Baby Watauga Valley Princess

• 12-23 months – Wee Watauga Valley Princess

• 2-4 years old – Mini Watauga Valley Princess

• 5-7 years old – Tiny Miss Watauga Valley

• 8-10 years old – Little Miss Watauga Valley

• 11-13 years old – Preteen Miss Watauga Valley

• 14-16 years old – Junior Teen Watauga Valley

• 17-18 years old – Teen Watauga Valley

• 19 and older – Miss Carter County

This fundraising pageant is not a part of the Miss America System, for which Miss Watauga Valley is an

official preliminary, but winners may be invited to participate in some activities at the discretion of the Miss Watauga Valley pageant directors.

In addition to the titles presented in the age categories, Kirby said the pageant will present several other titles including one Ultimate Grand Supreme, two Grand Supremes, Beauty Supreme and Top Model Supreme awarded. Side awards will include: Most Photogenic, Most Beautiful, Prettiest Eyes, Prettiest Smile,

Prettiest Hair and Best Dressed in each age group.

“Each contestant is encouraged to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network,” Kirby said.

A community service award will be given to

the contestant in each age division who raises the most money for CMN. An additional Miracle

Maker Supreme title will be awarded to the one contestant who raises the most money for CMN.

Kirby said with the exception of Miracle Maker Supreme there will be no double crowning. If there is only one contestant in an age grouping, that contestant will be ineligible for supreme placement, except the Miracle Maker Supreme. Contestants will be judged on beauty, personality, and appearance. Participants age 6 and up will also be judged on modeling and stage presence.

Dress, hair, and make-up should be age appropriate. Formal or dressy attire.

“They don’t have to have a big fancy dress,” Kirby said. “Especially for the younger ones, they can just wear a cute church dress.”

For more information on the Little Miss Watauga Valley fundraising pageant or to get paperwork to sign up as a competitor, contact Kirby at 423-895-3120 or by e-mail at kirbycm@msha.com; Linda Adams at 943-1095; or Becky Simerly at 571-3411 or by email at Becky_simerly@charter.net.

Those seeking more information can also visit the Little Miss Watauga Valley Pageant Facebook event page.