BUCHANAN — Fourteen young women eager to represent the Buchanan community will compete for the title of Miss Buchanan 2019 tomorrow.

The 41st annual Miss Buchanan Scholarship Pageant will take place at 6 p.m. at Buchanan High School, 401 W. Chicago St. Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased at the door. After the pageant, a Coronation Ball will follow at the American Legion Post 51. Tickets for the ball are $5 at the door.

This year’s pageant theme is “Let’s Visit Tennessee, the Volunteer State.” Kim Gaul, the chairperson for the Miss Buchanan Committee, said Miss Buchanan and her Court or Honor traditionally take part in a number of service projects, such as being part of annual parades, caroling at nursing homes and assisting with the Blossomland Learning Center’s pageant.

Gaul said they saw an increased number of participants enter this year’s competition. She said she is eager to see them take to the stage tomorrow to compete.

“I’m just looking forward to the girls having a great experience and a good time and finding out who our next representative for Miss Buchanan will be for the 2019 year,” Gaul said.

Contestants will perform a dance, show off their poise and answer an on the spot question to help judges determine who is most deserving of the Miss Buchanan role. Several other women will be selected to round out the queen’s Court of Honor. 

For those who take part in the pageant, Gaul said she believes it is about more than getting to wear a crown. She said the young women who compete have the opportunity to learn interview skills and confidence. They also have the opportunity to bank some scholarship funds. Local businesses and organizations sponsor a number of scholarships that competitors can win through the pageant. The queen will win a $1,500 scholarship, while four $500 scholarships and one $200 scholarship are available through a drawing.

Gaul noted that it takes courage to get up on stage in front of hundreds of people to compete for the crown.

“I think it builds a lot of character,” Gaul said. “I’m proud of them for challenging themselves.”

Gaul recognized Marie Summers, pageant director, and Tara Mabry, contestant chairperson, for helping to prepare contestants for this year’s pageant. 

The Miss Buchanan Scholarship Pageant is a community tradition that got its start in 1978. The winner of Miss Buchanan has the opportunity to represent her community in the annual Miss Blossomtime Scholarship pageant. The Miss Blossomtime Pageant takes place next year, inviting community queens across southwest Michigan to compete for the title.