Community

Tiaras on the line for Miss City of Maricopa

Jan 19, 2015

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The contestants had their final rehearsals last week and are now completing their preparations for Saturday’s Miss City of Maricopa pageant.

But there is still time to sign up for a shot at the title and the scholarship that goes with it.

The event in the Performing Arts Center at Maricopa High School includes competitions for Miss City of Maricopa and Miss Pinal County as well as Miss City of Maricopa Outstanding Teen and Miss Pinal County Outstanding Teen.

According to Amanda Zimmerman, co-director of the event, there are currently eight “Miss” competitors, six “Teen” competitors and 10 princesses. The pageant is affiliated with the Miss America organization.

Zimmerman said young women can sign up until the day of competition. More sponsors are welcome, as well.

“They are amazing, educated, very intelligent,” Zimmerman said of this year’s field of competitors. “They have very healthy lifestyles and eating habits. They have to be enrolled in school or expecting to be.”

She points out they are not competing for money but for college scholarships. Miss City of Maricopa contestants must be between the ages of 17 and 24 with a high school diploma or completed GED. They must be U.S. citizens with no previous marriage or children.

Those who have already received their bachelor’s degree can use the scholarship money to pursue an advanced degree, Zimmerman said. There are funds for the runners-up as well. In 2014, the winner received a $2,000 scholarship. The first runner-up received a $1,500 scholarship, and the second runner-up $1,000.

For the Outstanding Teen winners, “it pays their way into State,” said production manager Carrie Vargas.

“Arizona is trying to elevate its level of competition,” Vargas said.

Maricopa is doing its part. Miss City of Maricopa 2013 Jennifer Smested went on to win the Miss Arizona title. Last year, Outstanding Teen Amber Barto won the state title.

Reigning Miss City of Maricopa Sydnee Akers won the interview portion of the 2014 state contest.