In a politically correct world, beauty pageants may be frowned upon as meat parades, but when it comes to fundraising for school - students and administrators are not even tying to hear all that high tech talk.
The bottom line is talented and beautiful young ladies fill up seats and raise money. And that's the case with Excelsior High and tomorrow night's Miss Excelsior pageant. It's the 8th edition and today Keith visited with the 7 contestants.
Keith Swift Reporting,
Who will be the next Miss Excelsior? Well Tanisha could walk away with the crown or maybe Latoya will steal the show. But really it could be any of the seven contestants.
Latoya Anderson, Contestant
"At first I was very nervous but now I am confident in myself. I think I will win because when I go on the stage I won't mess up - I will just do my best."
Yatis Ferguson, Contestant
"I think all of us are winners. I think I will win because I have confidence in my self"
Christel Archer, Contestant
"The other people from other schools always low rate our school and myself and the other contestants will show them that our school is a more uplift school."
Jaclyn Burns, Contestant
"I believe all of us are winners. Yes I believe I would win because I am really confident in myself.
Tanisha Neal, Contestant
"Yes I think I will win because i have confidence."
Confidence! Confidence! And for Tanisha an extra dose of yes - confidence. The pageant's coordinator Lorna Matus says confidence is good but at tomorrow night's contest expect pure talent.
Lorna Matus, Organizer
"Just talent, just expect pure talent and to be entertained by talented and industrious people. So just come out and support excelsior high school - you won't regret it."
Miss Excelsior 2004 will be chosen at tomorrow at the Holy Redeemer Parish hall beginning at 7. Tickets are $7 in advance and $10 at the door. The money will be used to upgrade their science lab.
7NEWS produced for broadcast by News Director Jules Vasquez
Edited for the internet by Keith Swift