"In my opinion, the most valuable experience that I gained from participating in the pageant was the confidence to interview in front of a panel of judges," said Marla Davis. "The interview skills I learned during the pageant carried me through my college entrance interview and job interviews."

Davis was crowned Miss Solanco in 2011, and for the past seven years, she has been a board member of the Quarryville Teenage Club, whose main activity is hosting the Miss Solanco Scholarship Pageant. The pageant has been held annually since 1956, with the exceptions of 2020 and 2021, but the Quarryville Teenage Club has announced that applications for the 2023 Miss Solanco Scholarship Pageant are currently open.

Girls interested in becoming a contestant must reside in the Solanco School District and must be juniors or seniors during the 2022-23 school year at Solanco High School or through a private educational institution. Girls must complete an application and submit a letter of intent by Saturday, April 30.

"We have not had a pageant for the past two years due to COVID, so I am excited for contestants to be able to be back on stage in front of an audience, and for our current Miss Solanco, Julia Gavin, to have the honor of passing on the crown," commented Davis.

Once board members receive the letters of intent, applicants will be sent an email with information about orientation. A parent or guardian must accompany applicants to this meeting. Rehearsals for the pageant will be held on Wednesday evenings during the months of October and November. The 2023 Miss Solanco Scholarship Pageant will be held in the Solanco High School auditorium on Saturday, Nov. 26, at 7 p.m.

According to Quarryville Borough manager Scott Peiffer, the scholarship pageant is modeled after the Miss America Pageant, so scoring will be based on a personal interview, an onstage interview, a talent, and active and evening wear. The winner will be given the crown, the title, and a $2,000 scholarship. Peiffer emphasized that there are many benefits to participating in the pageant, such as developing interviewing, performing, modeling, and public speaking skills.

The board searches for highly qualified judges who typically come from outside of the Solanco area. Most judges have either participated in or have judged in the Miss America system, so they know what to look for and how to score.

To apply for the pageant, visit https://bit.ly/MissSolancoPageant. For more information, contact contestant coordinator Marla Davis at 717-475-5616, email misssolancoorg@gmail.com, or search for "Miss Solanco Scholarship Pageant" on Facebook.