Applications are being accepted for the Miss Destin Pageant. The deadline for entries is Friday, March 19.

The pageant is not a beauty contest, the young lady who receives the title of Miss Destin is judged on her personality, school and community involvement, communication skills and grade point average. She serves as a public figure throughout the year, representing Destin at many functions, including the annual Destin Fishing Rodeo.

Destin resident high-school girls between the ages of 16 and 19 vie for the title of Miss Destin, which among other things provides at least $2,000 cash scholarship. Additional scholarship moneys are awarded to the 1st and 2nd runners-up.

Preceding the actual pageant, there are several fun-filled social events planned so that the contestants and their parents can meet with pageant officials and judges. They include a soda party at the Destin History and Fishing Museum, a harbor cruise aboard the Southern Star, and a fashion fitting at Belk at Destin Commons. The 2010 Miss Destin Pageant, which includes a fashion show, will be Saturday, April 24 at the Destin Community Center.

Applications are available at the Destin Fishing Rodeo Office or Destin Community Center, or you may phone 837-6734 to receive one by mail or e-mail.

All contestants must be high school students between the ages of 16 and 19 on the day of the contest, must have a 32540, 32541 or 32550 zip code, be single and never married, and must live within the boundaries of the Destin Bridge, South shore of Choctawhatchee Bay, Eastern boundaries of Sandestin and the Gulf of Mexico. 

The young lady crowned Miss Destin 2010 must be available to represent the Destin Fishing Rodeo the entire month of October 2010 for the 62nd annual Destin Fishing Rodeo.

For more information, e-mail fishing@destinfishingrodeo.org or call the Rodeo office at 837-6734.