Blissfield, MI – The Miss River Raisin Scholarship Program is opening its 2023 pre-application process to crown the 28th Miss River Raisin Festival July 14th. The program is for talented young women who seek scholarship, leadership and service opportunities.
The Miss River Raisin Scholarship Program, part of the Miss America Organization, has awarded $173,750 in college scholarships to Lenawee County women over the past 27 competition years. In 2022, $11,900 was awarded. Potential contestants are being asked to sign up by April 21 and to participate in orientation April 23. Lenawee County young women born in the years 1996-2006 are invited to seek the title and scholarships offered by the program.
Current Miss River Raisin Festival Rylee Clairday, who will compete in Muskegon for the title of Miss Michigan in June, is having tremendous impact with her Community Service Initiative, “Disability Awareness: Breaking Barriers & Building Pathways.” She volunteers with Special Olympics and is a mentor and volunteer in therapeutic equine riding programs.
The local program has a schedule of rehearsals and events beginning in June, and two fundraisers in May then one in July to build camaraderie and confidence. A schedule is provided at orientation. Total registration for the Miss River Raisin Program in 2022 was $110, per Miss America, and that is expected to remain the same this year.
The Miss RRF program maintains a closet of competition clothing for contestants and the new titleholder to make this program affordable for all. In addition, the actual Miss River Raisin Scholarship Competition is the only local program in the state that has free admission and is held outdoors.
The new Miss River Raisin Festival will preside over the 39th Blissfield summer event, appear at Lenawee County activities, promote her Community Service Initiative and compete in the 2024 Miss Michigan Competition. Miss Michigan 2024 will then vy for the title of Miss America 2025.
The local competition is a highlight of the River Raisin Festival at 6 p.m. Friday, July 14, 2023, on the Pavilion Stage of Blissfield’s Bachmayer Park.
Pre-applications, with more information, are now available at The Advance in Blissfield by emailing to loader@blissfieldadvance.com or advance@cass.net. They will also soon be in Lenawee County high school guidance counselors’ offices. Single young women who meet the age requirements, who are residents of Lenawee County and U.S. citizens, or who attend college or high school in the county on a full-time basis, or who work full-time in the county (and have in both instances for 30 days prior to the competition,) are invited to seek the title. Contestants compete in private interview (30 percent); talent or HER Story (20 percent); onstage conversation (10 percent); evening gown on the red carpet (20 percent); and, new this year, health and fitness in fitness wear (20 percent); and onstage interview and social impact statement. Fitness is new this year and is not based on appearance, but on a healthy approach to life as Miss America is partnering with the American Heart Association. Contestants may choose fitness wear in which they are comfortable. Talent is limited to 90 seconds and contestants must use the equipment provided.
Scholarship fundraising is underway and potential donors may contact Loader at 517-486-2400 or at loader@blissfieldadvance.com or advance@cass.net. At this time, the scholarship amounts have not yet been set and will depend on what is raised in the coming months. The last several winners have received a minimum of $2500. The scholarship dollars come from businesses, fundraising projects and individual donations.
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