POINT PLEASANT — Many little girls dream of becoming Miss America one day. They want the tiara, sash, flowers, and the opportunity that being “America’s Queen” offers.

For the first time, young girls in our area between the ages of 13-17, have the advantage of becoming one step closer to that dream.

Delyssa Huffman, a former contestant and titleholder in the Miss West Virginia Scholarship Organization Pageant, has recently become the youngest local preliminary director in the Teen Miss competition.

“I am very excited about directing a preliminary,” Huffman said.

Jennifer Gartin, Executive Director for the Miss West Virginia’s Outstanding Teen Scholarship Organization Pageant, also is pleased to have Huffman on board.

“We are so excited to have Delyssa in our MWVOT family. I know she will do a great job,” Gartin said.

This is one of the four pageants that Huffman directs in the area. The others being the world’s only Miss Mothman Festival Pageant, Miss & Mister Point Pleasant TNT Fundraiser Pageant, and the Miss Country Fall Festival Pageant; a preliminary pageant for the West Virginia Association of Fairs and Festivals State Pageant.

The new pageant will be called the Miss Point Pleasant’s Outstanding Teen Scholarship Organization Pageant and will be a stepping stone for girls who dream of becoming Miss West Virginia’s Outstanding Teen.

“This pageant is such a great way for young girls to get involved in the organization and obtain scholarship dollars,” Huffman said. “I only wish this opportunity was available in this area during the time I was a teenager.”

The winner of the very first title will receive her entry fee paid to compete in the state pageant in Morgantown. She also will receive an official Miss America teen preliminary crown and embroidered sash. Huffman also is setting up a scholarship for the winner.

Many people often confuse the different pageant systems that exist. Huffman says there is a difference between this pageant and all of the other pageants in the area. The main difference being that this pageant provides scholarship dollars.

Other differences include the phases of competition.

The Miss Point Pleasant’s Outstanding Teen pageant does have a talent competition.

“Girls should not get discouraged and not compete for that reason alone,” Huffman said. “Your talent doesn’t have to be the best. Girls can chose to sing, dance, play an instrument, do gymnastics, or give a speech. The competition for talent only lasts two minutes, and believe me, it goes by fast.”

Other areas of competition include personal interview with a panel of judges, lifestyle and physical fitness, evening gown, and on-stage question. A contestant must also have a platform; an issue on which she is passionate about.

According to the director, this system provides great opportunities for young women in the area to meet other girls throughout the state, gain communication skills, and make lasting friendships.

The pageant will take place on January 16, 2010. An information session also is being planned to provide anyone with more details. Date for the session will be announced later. Deadline to apply is Dec. 19, 2009.

If you are interested and would like more information, please contact Huffman at 304-593-8998 or e-mail at mppotsop@gmail.com. You can also visit the website at www.mppotsop.webs.com. Entry forms will soon be available at local businesses.

The Miss America’s Outstanding Teen is a sister pageant to the Miss America Organization which is the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Over $45 million in cash and tuition scholarship assistance was made available last year.

The Miss America Organization is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering young women to achieve their personal, professional, and educational goals.