A pageant for girls who aspire to become part of the Miss Alabama program is coming to the Camellia City in December.

“Miss Camellia Outstanding Teen is for girls ages 12-16. It is a precursor to Miss Alabama, just as the Miss Camellia Rising Star for younger girls, ages 7-11, is a precursor to the Outstanding Teen program,” said Michelle Styron, who is set to direct “Miss Camellia Outstanding Teen: Winter Wonderland.” The pageant is slated for December 16 at 5 p.m. at the Ritz Theatre.

“Our own new Miss Camellia, Mikaylah Dugans, was part of the Outstanding Teen program when she was younger,  and she would tell you it is really beneficial to any girls planning to pursue that goal of being part of the Miss Alabama/Miss America program,” Styron explained.

Originally, the plans were to have the pageant in early 2018. “However, in order to have our representative participate in the state program in 2018, we had to meet a December cut-off deadline,” said Styron. Like Miss Camellia, the Miss Camellia Outstanding Teen program is an open one, allowing girls from across the state to compete for the title.

“Even though our winner may not be from this area, they represent our community and will return to Greenville to appear at various functions,” said Styron. “Our Miss Camellia Rising Star, Mattie Cook, is from right here in Greenville.”

Just as there are several categories of competition for the Miss Camellia/Miss Alabama contestants, the Outstanding Teen participants will be called upon to compete in talent, fitness and evening wear, with an on-stage question during the latter category. They will also conduct a six-minute interview with the judges prior to the pageant.

“As soon as I made the announcement about the upcoming pageant, I had close to half a dozen girls contact me, so there is a lot of interest already out there,” said Styron.  “After having our Miss Camellia program two weeks ago and seeing what great, great girls this program attracts, it made us so excited to expand the program here in Greenville.”

The entry fee is $75 through October 20, and $100 after that date. Deadline to register is December 1.

A limited number of participants are allowed—25–so Styron encourages anyone interested to get registered as soon as possible.

“Once we have 25 registered participants, additional names will be put on a standby list,” Styron said.

“And in the event any early registrant wins a title before the Miss Camellia Outstanding Teen pageant, we will refund that contestant’s entry fee.”

The winner of the December 16 pageant will go on to compete in the Miss Alabama Outstanding Teen Program set for March 2-4, 2018.

For more information about Miss Camellia Outstanding Teen  or to obtain an application, contact Michelle Styron at misscamellia@cfmills.com or call 334-662-7923.