BRUNSWICK – Applications are now being accepted for the Miss Maine Pageant Program. The pageant is open to girls ages 4-17 and will be held April 17 at the Crooker Auditorium at Brunswick High School. Contestants must be Maine residents and meet the age requirements as of the day of the pageant.

A qualified panel of judges will determine the winners based performance in the following categories: talent, onstage speaking ability, evening gown and application. Contestants with the highest scores in their respective age divisions will win the following titles: Miss Mini Maine, ages 4-7; Miss Little Maine, ages 8-11; Miss Young Teen Maine, ages 12-14; and Miss Teen Maine, ages 15-17.

The 2003 winners were: Victoria Graffam of Fryeburg, Miss Mini Maine; Janet Ottoman of Kennebunkport, Miss Little Maine; Molly Bouchard of Caribou, Miss Young Teen Maine; and Arikka Knights of Chester, Miss Teen Maine. They will be present to crown their successors at the April 17 ceremony.

Registration for contestants will be between 8:30 and 9 a.m. on the day of the pageant. Following a brief meeting with parents to discuss the program, contestants will have an opportunity to rehearse for the final show held at 1:30 p.m. The entry fee for the pageant is $75.

The public is invited to attend this final show and tickets will be sold at the door. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

All proceeds from the Miss Maine Day Pageant Program will go to the Miss Maine Scholarship Program to support the newly crowned Miss Maine America 2004. Winners will make an on-stage appearance at the Miss Maine Scholarship Pageant held in May and will have the opportunity to travel throughout the state as a Miss Maine representative.

For more about the Miss Maine Day Program, visit http://missmaine.homestead.com/MissMaineDay2003.html.