LONG ISLAND CITY — Who will be the next Queen of Queens?
The Miss Queens Pageant will take place next month in Long Island City, where the winner will take home the borough's crown and go on to compete for the title of Miss New York, and possibly Miss America.
The pageant will be held Sept. 20 at The Secret Theatre and is open to women between ages 17 and 24 who live, work or go to school in Queens or Long Island. The winner will receive a $250 scholarship prize and a spot in the Miss New York pageant, with the winner moving on to vie for the Miss America crown in 2016.
"We're looking for someone who kind of has the whole package," said Miss Queens executive director Shekinah Monee. "The last three Miss Americas came from New York, so we're looking for someone to carry on the tradition."
This is only the second year the Miss Queens Scholarship Fund has hosted the borough's pageant, according to Monee, who said the competition includes a talent portion, evening and swimwear and answering an on-stage question.
The Miss Queens' role is for someone active in community service and is looking to give back to her community, she said.
"Miss America's a scholarship organization — it's not what you see on 'Toddlers and Tiara's,'" she said. "It's more of a platform for women to showcase their beauties and their brains."
Those interested in entering the competition have until Sept. 1 to register, and need to raise $100 in donations for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Miss America's partner charity which funds children's hospitals across the country.
The Miss Queens pageant will take place at The Secret Theatre on Sept. 20 starting at 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance, or $30 at the door.
Those interested in learning more or registering for the pageant should email missqueensorg@gmail.com.
