Young women between the ages of 17-24 are eligible to compete in the eighth annual Miss Lafayette Pageant to be held at Burke Hall on the University of Louisiana at Lafayette campus on Feb. 23, 2013. This is a Miss American preliminary pageant.

In the Outstanding Teen division, young women between the ages of 13-16 can compete. It is a preliminary of Louisiana’s Outstanding Teen and America’s Outstanding Teen.

Both events are open to young women throughout Louisiana.

Founded in 1921, Miss America is the oldest and largest scholarship program for young women. Unlike other pageants, it rewards contestants for their talent, academic achievements and community service. It provides young with opportunities to earn scholarships, showcase performing talents, become volunteers in their communities and gain experiences to help make them ready for real world challenges.

An informational meeting will be held Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. at the Southside Public Library on Johnston in Lafayette. All young women between the ages of 13-24 and their parents are welcomed to attend.

For more information, call Phyllis Bel at 337-298-3839 or visit Facebook and search for Miss Lafayette/Lafayette’s Outstanding Teen.