“It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” is the theme of the 2008 Azalea Queen Scholarship Pageant.

The pageant committee is preparing to have its first organizational meeting and the next order of business is to get our 14 contestants from Madison County’s finest young women. Due to space and time, only the first 14 applicants will be accepted. There will only be an exception if the 14th and 15th applications arrive by mail on the same day. If your organization or business would like to sponsor a candidate, please complete the application located in next week’s issue of the Democrat News, and MAIL it with your $75 entry fee. Any applications received after the first 14 candidates will be returned by mail to the sponsor. The entry deadline is Monday, February 4, 2008.

Please ensure that your candidate understands she must participate in all functions and rehearsals, regardless of personal, school, or work conflicts! The pageant committee will try its best to work with school schedules, but rehearsal dates cannot be changed. Failure to participate in all functions could result in disqualification.

Contestants will be required to reside in Madison County (verification may be requested from the sponsor), attend the organizational meeting (February 17), attend the Azalea Tea (March 29), attend ALL rehearsals, ride in the Azalea Parade, be a sophomore, junior, or senior in high school, and sell advertisements for the pageant program. No prior contestants will be allowed.

Rehearsals will be Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27, 2008 in the afternoon. They will also be Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday April 28-30, in the evening.

The pageant will be at 7 p.m., Friday, May 2, at Fredericktown Middle School.

The 2008 Azalea Queen Pageant: It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me” will feature classic rock music. Performers will include Julie Pritchett, Allison Barron, Kelsey Johnston, and the Azalea Pageant Players. We would also like to welcome back the 2007 Azalea Queen Abby Boyd.

If you have any questions, please contact Jane Kopitsky at 783-3636 or 783-9669.