4/7/08-8

Girls prepare for Lindon pageant Print E-mail
Rette Speight - NORTH COUNTY STAFF

Hopeful girls and their mothers gathered together for an orientation tea to kick-off the popular "Little Miss Lindon" pageant and discuss preparations.
The pageant has been helping girls gain self-confidence, develop talents and serve to their community since 1986 said pageant director Joy Nelson. Since the pageant has started, Nelson said the girls have done over 450 service projects benefiting their community.

Nelson has had two girls compete in the pageant, and although does not have any relations or connections to current competitors, wanted to remain involved in the program.

Normally the competition has 25 girls participating, but this year the numbers have gone down and will only have 22 seeking the crown.

The girls will conduct a service project, an interview, show a talent, model a dress and answer a question. The winner will be named queen and four more girls will be named as her attendants.

Allison Southard has had two daughters in the pageant, and has three more who are under the age requirements.

"This is such a different pageant because it gives the girls an opportunity for service, and encourages them to just be themselves and their age," Southard said. "They come out of it feeling good whether they win or lose."

Nelson said that this year's theme will be "Miracles Happen" and is dedicated to mother and daughter Maggie and Taylor Keen. Taylor won a position as one of four queen's attendants in last year's royalty court. Since Taylor's placement, Maggie passed away from breast cancer. The group service project this year will be making 25 blankets for other patients to use in the Huntsman Cancer facility in American Fork, the same facility Maggie received treatment.

The original founder of the pageant, Colleen McMillian, also died of breast cancer in 1994. Nelson said that this service project is a unique opportunity to serve past and present women experiencing the same problems.

Taylor said that she got the idea for the project after noticing how cold her mom and other patients got in the facility.

Being in the program has helped Taylor get through her difficult times, she said. The girls have become her best friends, after going through so much in the pageant.

"You just can't help but become best friends," Taylor said.

In addition to the group project, each participant will do an individual service project. Sisters Alyssa and Rachael Crabb are participants in this year's competition. Alyssa will be making teddy bears and blankets for kids in the Juvenile Justice Service and Rachael will be providing sack lunches for the Food and Care Coalition.