Preparations are under way for the Miss Noel Scholarship Pageant for girls ages 5 through 12, which is presented by the Sandhills Business and Professional Women's Organization.

The pageant will be held Saturday, Nov. 15, at 7 p.m. at the Aberdeen Elementary School Auditorium.

"This program allows young women to showcase their many talents and personalities, while allowing them to present themselves with creativity, poise, talent and self-confidence.," says a spokesperson.

The categories are: Little Miss Noel: for girls ages 5 and 6, Junior Miss Noel for girls ages 7 through 9 and Miss Noel for girls ages 10 to 12.

Orientation will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at the Recreation Station, Aberdeen Lakeside Building. The deadline for registration is Friday, Oct. 17.

Entry forms may be picked up at Aquarius Hair Salon, SW Broad Street, Southern Pines, Sandhills Real Estate, Seven Lakes, and Simply Sara, S. Poplar Street, Aberdeen.

The pageant directly funds the presentation of scholarships in the spring of 2009, for deserving women from Moore County, of all ages, to further their education goals.

For more information or entry forms, contact Pat at 944-7408 or Sandra at 693-1809.