BY FAYE DASEN

Features Editor

There's a new twist to the Miss Greater Sandhills pageant this year.

"The state committee asked that we take over the Miss Greater Carolina pageant this year," says Jan Spivey, executive director of the Miss Greater Sandhills Association.

Miss Greater Sandhills is what is known as a "closed" competition, open only to girls from Lee, Moore, Richmond, Scotland and Hoke counties.

Therefore, there are two groups of contestants - one for Miss Greater Sandhills and another for Miss Greater Carolina, which is open to young women from across the state.

"We are allowed to group the Outstanding Teens together," says Spivey. "The top two will be Miss Greater Sandhills Outstanding Teen or Miss Greater Carolina Outstanding Teen."

The event takes place Saturday, Sept. 8, at Pinecrest High School's Lee Auditorium.

Greater Sandhills

2013 Miss Greater Sandhills contestants include:

Hillary Laster, whose platform is the "National Inclusion Project." She will clog for the talent competition. Laster, the daughter of Jeff and Robin Laster, of Laurinburg, is attending UNC Wilmington.

Jasmine Henderson, daughter of Robert and Johnna McDaniel, of Aberdeen, will perform a vocal number during the talent competition. The Campbell University freshman's platform is "Volunteerism."

Also with a volunteerism platform, Mary Allison Bennett, a sophomore at Meredith College, will sing during the talent competition. She is the daughter of Charles and Suzanne Bennett, of Southern Pines.

Taylor Batten's platform is "St. Baldrick's Basebald." The UNC-Chapel Hill junior, daughter of Gregory and Tammy Batten, of Sanford, will also perform a vocal number.

Anna Bowers, a senior at Southern Lee High School, is the daughter of Robert and Andrea Bowers, of Sanford. Her platform is "Building a Better Sandhills." She will perform a ballet en pointe.

Greater Carolina

2013 Miss Greater Carolina Contestants include:

Crystal Byrd, whose platform is "P.A.W.S. (Protecting Animals Without Shelter)." A student at Fayetteville Technical College, the daughter of Joseph and Connie Byrd, of Fayetteville, will dance during the talent competition.

Blythe Barnes, a student at Wilson Community College, will sing for the talent portion of the pageant. Her platform is "Bullying Awareness and Prevention." She is the daughter of Todd and Jan Barnes, of Wilson.

Toria Mangum's platform is "ANYTOWN." The Southern Guilford High School senior is the daughter of Jennifer Gaines, of High Point. She will perform a dance.

Beth Stovall, daughter of Dan and Patti Stovall, of Goldsboro, will perform an operatic vocal. Her platform is "Inspiration: Art."

"Dress for Success" is the platform for Alexandria Freeman, who has a bachelor's degree in fashion merchandising from Meredith College.

The daughter of Glenn and Regina Freeman, of Gastonia, she will sing during the talent competition.

BrieAnna Hester, a Meredith College junior, is the daughter of Frank and Pam Hester, of Henderson. Her platform is "iTAP- Impact Tomorrow, Assist People." She will do a tap dance.

Teen Contestants

2013 Miss Greater Sandhills and Greater Carolina Outstanding Teen contestants include:

Haven Cashwell, whose platform is "Think b4 U Send." The Cape Fear High School sophomore will sing. She is the daughter of David and Alice Cashwell, of Wade.

Megan Huff is the -daughter of Martin and Lesa Huff, of Pinehurst. The West End Middle School eighth-grader will sing during the talent competition. Her -platform is "P3."

Savannah Tracy's platform is "Go With Your Own Glow- Skin Cancer Prevention." Her talent will be an acro-jazz dance. The Union Pines High School junior is the daughter of Randy and Melissa Tracy, of Whispering Pines.

Rachel Jackson, a sophomore at Pinecrest High School, has a platform of "Making Schools Safe for All; Stop Bullying."

The daughter of Marvin Jackson and Tammy Maness, of Whispering Pines, she will sing during talent competition.

Kathryn Payne, daughter of Ken and Debbie Payne, of Greensboro, is a junior at Page High School. Her platform is "Arts Education for Special Needs Children." She will do a tap dance.

Morgan Hendrix's platform is "Birthday Bags: Making Each Day Count." The Pinecrest High School freshman will play the piano. She is the daughter of David and Peggy Hendrix, of Pinehurst.

Ashlee Matthews, a freshman at Union Pines High School, will perform a tap number. Her platform is "Mentoring Teens with Scoliosis." She is the daughter of Kevin and Vickie Matthews, of Whispering Pines.

Chelsey Bennett's platform is "Suicide Prevention." The Pinecrest High School junior will play the clarinet. She is the daughter of Brian and Carol McBride, of Aberdeen.

A Little Miss Pageant will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 8. Tickets are $10 each for that event.

Tickets for the evening pageant are $15 and are available at the door or from contestants.

Contact Faye Dasen at fdasen@thepilot.com.