Chamber cancels Miss Kimble Contest due to lack of participation by Connie Booth, Executive Director, Kimble County Chamber of Commerce and Junction Visitor Information The Kimble County Chamber of Commerce and Junction Visitor Information hosts an annual Miss Kimble County Scholarship Pageant every year. Local girls, classified as sophomores or juniors at Junction High School for the coming school year are eligible to participate. Local businesses sponsor these girls, contributing an “entry fee” for their participation. These fees are deposited into a scholarship fund and are presented to the girl selected as Miss Kimble County upon graduation every year in the form of a $500 check. Participants in this pageant adhere to certain rules for participation defining the nature of this event. This pageant has undergone several changes over the past years, as have the “worlds” of the girls eligible to participate. In an effort to make the pageant seem more special, and in order to help increase attendance to the May Rodeo of the Hill Country Fair Association, the pageant was incorporated into the pre-show activities of the springtime rodeo. Also, participants of the pageant were required to create/enter a “float” of their choosing – no requirements as to detail – to be entered into a Miss Kimble County Scholarship Pageant Parade on the Saturday morning of the May Rodeo weekend. They were also required to complete a 500 word essay (subject changed annually) and attend a luncheon that same weekend. Appearances were made at both nights of the May Rodeo event for introduction of contestants and then crowning of the Miss Kimble County and her Court. In 2011, the idea of a Miss Kimble County Parade was dropped in an effort to alleviate the anxiety the “creation of a float” seemed to instigate among the contestants. That year, also in an effort to increase participation and to accommodate our girls who were very involved in sporting activities which had made it difficult for them to do both, the Miss Kimble County Scholarship Pageant was returned to its original August Rodeo date as it had been in the past. The judging was also returned to the way it was done in the past, i.e. judging assigned based on points given for their essays, scholarship form/resume submitted, poise at the Friday night Rodeo introduction and Saturday luncheon, and the judges’ overall impression as to composure, level of participation and attitude. These decisions were made, taking into consideration the advice of the J.I.S.D. high school counselor after several conferences, who is involved with these students daily and has a great understanding of their situations and concerns. In 2012, due to a decrease in participation in recent years, and in the interest of keeping the Pageant’s integrity intact, the Board of Directors of the Kimble County Chamber of Commerce & Junction Visitor Information made the decision to require a minimum of six girl’s participation in order to host this Pageant. This year the Chamber received only three entry forms by the deadline that was determined and announced during the school year in a special assembly with the high school counselor in May 2013. During the first week of July, the Chamber emailed those girls who had signed up and received entry form packets at that May 2013 meeting (fifteen girls total) and reminded everyone of the approaching deadline for entry. Flyers were also posted around Junction in prominent places. It is with disappointment that the Chamber cancels this year’s Miss Kimble County Scholarship Pageant, but after ample time for participation has passed and fallen short of adopted guidelines, it is necessary. The Chamber of Commerce & Junction Visitor Information plans to again host a 2014-2015 Miss Kimble County Scholarship Pageant next year. There will be a representation of Junction and Kimble County in area community parades as details are confirmed.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Aug 2013 14:06:52 +0000
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