A new pageant with a message of compassion for the elderly is coming – Miss Pioneer Christmas Time. The inaugural event is scheduled for Dec. 12 at Three Star Mall and is for girls ages 4-21.
“This is the first pageant I’ve organized,” said Emily Pennington, who won 2018 Warren County Fairest of the Fair and 2019 Tennessee Fairest of the Fair. “My platform is ‘Embracing the Elderly’ so I started collecting items and donating them to nursing homes. This will be my fourth Christmas collecting items for donation. Miss Pioneer Christmas Time is a benefit pageant for that effort.”
The pageant begins at 5 p.m. and has five categories: Tiny Miss ages 4-6, Little Miss ages 7-9, Preteen Miss ages 10-12, Teen Miss ages 13-15, Miss ages 16-21.
Participation in pageants builds character and confidence, says Pennington.
“There is a lot of stigma around pageants,” she said. “A lot of people think it’s strictly about your outer beauty, but this is my fourth year and I’ve collected over 15,000 items for Middle Tennessee nursing homes. What I don’t think people see about pageants is the heart for service that most of the contestants have. They also boost your confidence. The stigma about pageants needs to be broken.”
For those who want to be a champion for the elderly and help with the donation effort, donation sites are located at Captain D’s, Vanessa’s Place Barber Shop on Main Street, and Upton’s Bridal and Formal Boutique in Plaza Shopping Center. Suggested items include shampoo, conditioner, body wash, washcloths, blankets, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrush, and mouthwash.
“A lot of elderly individuals don’t have access to their own items,” said Pennington. “They use what’s provided to them by the facility. It’s usually not very nice stuff and usually what the state provides. I started this as a way to not only provide them with nicer items, but show them that people care about them. What most of us take for granted, nursing home residents see as gold.”
Items will be collected at the sites until Dec. 18.
Pageant contestants will be participating in social distancing at all times. Attendees must follow all Warren County guidelines regarding COVID-19.
More information about the pageant, including entry forms, can be found on the Miss Pioneer Christmas Time Facebook page. Forms and a $35 fee must be submitted by Dec. 9.
