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Happy Holidays 2006

Everyone wins in this holiday contest

By BETH N. GRAY
Published December 11, 2006

SPRING HILL - Happy Holidays 2006 is dubbed a pageant without losers, trophies for everyone and then some.

And the pageant has teamed up with the Marine Corps League and is asking people who attend the Sunday event to bring an unwrapped toy for the annual drive for needy children.

Already some 30 participants have registered for the pageant, which will take place at Stage West Community Playhouse, said organizer and producer Stephanie Sims of Aim Direct Media. The 39-year-old mother and professional producer, a former model, is a veteran of pageants herself and a pageant judge in the Tampa Bay area.

Sims exudes enthusiasm for this first-of-its-kind program in Hernando County, which also expects to attract entrants from Pasco County. It targets teen girls, but ranges from infants to 18 years of age. Boys - some already have registered - are invited to participate as well.

"This is a fun pageant. Anybody can take part," said Sims, who has been organizing pageants and job fairs since the 1990s. "Basically, it's a party atmosphere.

Divisions will include newborns, toddlers, preteens, teens and Mrs. The judging will encompass overall presentation - poise, personality and appearance, Sims said.

"Anybody who's old enough, we will ask some questions, will try to get them speaking," she said.

As for the littlest entrants, parents will have the opportunity to tell how sweet and cute they are, she added.

Contestants will vie for the titles of Mr. and Miss Happy Holidays, queen, king, prince and princess, and there will be optional events for best dressed, best personality, prettiest smile, prettiest eyes and prettiest hair.

Appropriate attire, Sims advises contestants, is Sunday best for girls, even homecoming dresses; for boys, something dressy such as suits, tuxedos or church attire.

No talent presentation is required.

Serving as judges will be educators, royalty from other pageants and representatives of modeling and talent agencies, Sims said.

Trophies, sashes and goody bags donated by area merchants will be awarded, and no one will go home empty-handed, Sims promises.

The afternoon program will include entertainment by diAna's Dance Express and a number by mothers of the contestants.

The pageant is expected to be a stepping stone for scholarship pageants Sims is planning locally for 2007.

It also could serve as a stepping stone to brighter stage lights for contestants in the future.

Sims noted that she has officiated at pageants that ultimately delivered American Idol icon Melissa McGhee and Miss America 2004 Erika Dunlap to their dreams.

Sunday's pageant could also serve as a practice arena for a Miss USA preliminary pageant that Sims said she will produce at Stage West in March.

Beth Gray can be contacted at graybethn@earthlink.net.

[Last modified December 10, 2006, 23:09:02]