Pretty young girls and handsome little boys will have an opportunity to help raise funds to benefit the Rachel Patterson PTO in a pageant set for March 4 at the school. The application deadline for entry into the pageant has been extended through Feb. 18.

Candice Lowery, president of the Rachel Patterson PTO and pageant director, said the idea to host a pageant is one that puts the students in the spotlight.

“This is the first time that RPES PTO has hosted a pageant,” Lowery said. “As far as the idea to host a pageant, I was looking for a way to raise funds for the school where the students got to participate in something aside from just selling products. Most fundraisers offer the students a cheap prize for selling 10 items, etc. With a pageant, the students and parents sale the ads, but in return participate in the pageant. They have the opportunity to dress up, and show everyone their smile, beauty, etc., and with sportswear, they have a chance to have fun modeling. The pageant is all about the students. They are in the spotlight.”

Proceeds from the pageant will benefit students, teachers and staff at the school, Lowery said.

“All proceeds from the pageant will benefit the Rachel Patterson Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization,” Lowery said. “The money we raise from the pageant will be used to purchase things for the school that school funds can’t be used for or to buy things that the school just doesn’t have money to purchase.”

Lowery said additional benches are needed at the school bus stop and some beautification of the campus is needed.

“The PTO already helps with some expenses at the school including paying for the lease of a copier,” Lowery said. “We will certainly be putting everything we raise right back into the school. We’d like to see some beautification work done at the school to make it a nicer place for the students.”

Lowery said businesses and individuals can help defray costs associated with the pageant by sponsoring a contestant or by purchasing ads in a program to be printed for the event.

“The contestants will be asking area businesses for donations and will be asking them to purchase an ad in the program,” Lowery said. “Anything a business can do would be greatly appreciated. When these contestants contact businesses for sponsorships, we hope they will help out.”

Lowery said any purchase of an ad is tax deductible as business advertising.

Donations will also be tax deductible since PTO is a non-profit organization.

Pageant participation is limited to students currently attending Rachel Patterson Elementary School, which serves students in kindergarten through second grade.

Divisions are for girls and boys with each division asked to wear age appropriate attire and make up.

“The King and Queen will receive a sash or scepter, a trophy and a crown,” Lowery said. “Each alternate will receive a sash or scepter and a trophy in recognition of their achievement.”

Participants have the option of purchasing a commemorative trophy for the event at a cost of $15 each.

“There is an application process for each contestant,” Lowery said.

“Applications will be accepted through Feb. 18 with an application fee of $10 per contestant.”

In addition to traditional pageant events, contestants may also choose to participate in special category competition including best dressed, sportswear/career wear and most photogenic. A $5 fee will be required to enter each of the categories. Photos for the most photogenic category of competition must be turned in by Feb. 25 with each additional photo submission assessed an additional $3 fee, Lowery said.

“Each contestant must obtain sponsors by program ad sales or donations to help defray the costs of the pageant and to raise money for RPES PTO,”

Lowery said. “The contesting brining in the most sponsorship ads and donations will receive an award.” Lowery said judges would be looking for certain aspects of each contestant to determine an overall winner for the event.

“Each contestant is judged on poise, appearance, stage presence and overall impression,” Lowery said.

The event is set for 6 p.m. March 4 in the Rachel Patterson Elementary

School Auditorium. Admission will be $5 for adults with students admitted for $3. Children under three will be admitted free when sitting with a parent or in a stroller.

For additional information about the pageant, sponsorship availabilities or to receive an application, contact Lowery at 251-253-2018 or the Rachel Patterson school office at 368-4860.