The Miss Wylie Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant will return later this month, offering local students an opportunity to compete for scholarships while developing leadership skills, confidence and community involvement.

Hosted by the Juneteenth Organization of Wylie, the annual pageant is set for Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30, at Trinity Friendship Baptist Church, 840 E. Brown St. in Wylie.

Now in its sixth year, the program is open to girls from fourth grade through high school senior year and focuses on mentorship and personal growth in addition to competition.

“Our mission is to inspire, motivate, and uplift young women as they grow into independent, capable leaders who believe deeply in their ability to succeed,” said Courtney Manning, pageant director. “This pageant is more than a competition. It is a space to develop new skills, form lasting friendships, and gain experiences that extend far beyond pageant day.”

Manning said contestants participate in mentorship activities that include interview preparation, etiquette courses and peer engagement training.

Competition categories include interview, Afro-centric attire, talent, evening wear, photogenic and Miss Congeniality.

Friday evening’s activities will introduce contestants and the pageant’s Royal Court to the community, while participants will also compete in the Afro-centric attire category. Saturday’s events will feature talent and evening wear competitions, followed by the crowning ceremony.

Winners will serve as ambassadors for the city of Wylie throughout the year, participating in community events including Boo on Ballard, the Wylie Christmas Parade, library reading events and volunteer opportunities.

Manning said Trinity Friendship Baptist Church was selected as the venue because of its continued support of both the pageant and the Juneteenth Organization of Wylie.

The pageant also ties directly into the city’s Juneteenth celebration efforts, with winners speaking publicly about the holiday and helping represent the organization throughout the community.

Admission is $10 Friday and $15 Saturday at the door. Applications for this year’s pageant are closed, but sponsorship opportunities remain available. Organizers said all sponsorship proceeds go directly toward scholarship funding for participants.

Additional information, including donation opportunities, is available at the Miss Wylie Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant website or event.wyliejuneteenth.org.

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