TIFTON — Miss Forestry and Pine Seedling Scholarship Pageant-Promoting and Protecting the Forestry Industry will be held Feb. 25 at the Tift Theatre in Tifton. The competition is open to contestants from all surrounding counties.

All contestants receive a trophy. There will be a winner and three runners-up named in each age group:  Baby Miss, birth to 23 months; Teeny Miss, 2 to 3 years; Tiny Miss, 4 to 6 years; Little Miss, 7 to 9 years; Junior Miss, 10 to 12 years; Teen Miss, 13 to 16 years; and Miss 17 to 24 years.

The winners will receive the official Forestry round crown, custom sash, silver engraved tray, crowning pin, savings bonds, and cash scholarships.  The winners will also receive their entry fees paid to the 78th Annual Miss Georgia Forestry Pageant, which will be held in Tifton in the summer of 2017 where the queens will serve as the Host City Queens.  

The Miss Georgia Forestry Pageant is the oldest running Scholarship Pageant in Georgia.  The pageant was started in 1940 to offer educational opportunities while promoting the forestry industry.  Winners will represent the forestry industry by lighting the turpentine still at the Georgia Museum of Agriculture, Hometown Holidays, fashion shows and ribbon cuttings. The Baby through Junior Miss contestants are scored on personality, beauty, gown, poise, and overall appearance. The Teen and Miss contestants are scored on gown, public speaking, and interview.  

To enter the pageant, call 229-386-2681 or 229-238-2851 or email tiftforestry@yahoo.com.