By Cindy Peterson
Miss Leesburg Scholarship Pageant Returns with $15,000 in Awards
The 39th annual Miss Leesburg Scholarship Pageant will take the stage Saturday, Sept. 6, at Leesburg High School, offering $15,000 in scholarships to local girls ages 4 to 18.
This year’s event will crown new royalty to succeed current titleholders Tiny Miss Saige Herter, Little Miss Sadie Starling, Junior Miss Abby Carlton, Teen Miss Shaylin Shumate and Miss Leesburg Reese Ponds. Organizers say the outgoing queens have done an excellent job representing Leesburg and promoting community pride throughout their year of service.
They have been busy making appearances at many local events, parades, and special city functions,” a statement reads. “The girls received recognition from the Chief of Police, Leesburg Fire Department, the City of Leesburg and the Leesburg Chamber of Commerce. We work closely with the City of Leesburg in regard to community activities. The focus of our program is to stress the importance of volunteer community service work. Their year of service is an educational experience of all aspects of our city. Leesburg is very proud of these outstanding young ladies!!”
The Miss Leesburg Scholarship Program, which operates in partnership with the City of Leesburg and local organizations, emphasizes volunteerism and civic involvement. Contestants represent their hometown at community events throughout the year while gaining experience in public speaking, poise, and leadership.
“The focus of our program is to stress the importance of volunteer community service work,” organizers note. “Their year of service is an educational experience of all aspects of our city.”
The pageant is open to contestants who live or attend school in Leesburg, Yalaha, Lady Lake, Fruitland Park, The Villages Charter School, or The Villages Elementary. Home-schooled students participating in sports at a qualifying school may also enter. Age divisions are Tiny Miss (4–6), Little Miss (7–9), Junior Miss (10–12), Teen Miss (13–15), and Miss Leesburg (16–18).
Judging will be based on poise, personality, overall appearance, and communication skills. Each division will have a winner and runner-ups, with Miss Leesburg receiving a $5,000 scholarship to the college of her choice. Additional scholarships include $2,000 for first runner-up, $1,000 for second runner-up, $1,000 for Teen Miss winner, and $250 for winners in the Tiny, Little, and Junior divisions. Other awards include the Service Scholarship sponsored by the OBG Lions Club, the Humble and Kind Scholarship in memory of Sharon St. Cyr, and the Randy Jones Sr. Memorial Scholarship.
The entry fee is $75, and the deadline to apply is Aug. 25. Applications are available at www.MissLeesburg.com.
Originally from the small town of Berryville, Arkansas, Cindy has become a multimedia specialist in journalism, photography, videography, and video editing. She has a B.S. in Communications from the University of Central Arkansas and produces Style Magazine's Sports Hub Podcast and the Healthy Living Podcast. She also produces for Beacon College’s Telly Award-winning PBS show, “A World of Difference.” When she isn’t working, Cindy loves traveling the National Parks with her husband , Ryan, and son, David, photographing wildlife.
