Movement afloat to bringing Miss Wheat Capitol pageant to Wellington
by Amber Schmitz, Sumner Newscow —  The Miss Wheat Capitol Pageant may return to Wellington, if the Wellington Area Chamber of Commerce has anything to do with it.
“We are trying to revive the Miss Wheat Capitol Pageant,” said Annarose White, WACC Executive Director “We are considering making it a dual crowned event by adding Miss Sumner County.”
The first pageant took place in 1993 with a theme of “Love Is A Wonderful Thing.” It is a qualifying pageant for Miss Kansas.
White said if the community is interested in hosting a pageant, it would need to be between the months of September and February. The Miss Kansas Pageant is in June.
In order to host a pageant, a board of directors would have to be established before scholarships could even be collected. Originally, there were 10 people on the board and a panel of five judges. A financial advisor and legal counsel would also be needed.
“Our goal is to get people to serve on the board,” said White. “We need a board of directors before we can do anything. It is really crucial that we develop a board. There are a few people in Caldwell interested, and Julia Strnad has been working with us.”
Positions available on the board include executive director, production, entries, hostess, hospitality, scholarship and awards, judges, tickets, publicity and programs. Some of the original people involved in the pageant were Hankie Holefelder and Lisa Alton, who currently help with the Miss Kansas pageant.
There are four points of the Miss Kansas organization: scholarship, service, style and success. Competitions will include swim suit, talent and evening gown.
Girls ages 17-24 are eligible to compete for the title. The winner will earn a college scholarship. Each contestant must raise at least $100 in order to compete at the local level. If they win the local level, they must raise $250 in order to compete for the Miss Kansas title. All funds are donated to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.
White said that universities put up in kind scholarships, which means the winner would receive a full ride college scholarship. Currently, there are 10 franchises participating in the pageant, with the closest being Miss Walnut Valley and Miss Cowley County.
“In Wellington, we have Miss Sunflower, who is Sabrina Nelson this year,” White said.
Nelson was Miss Kansas Hannah Wagner’s support staff while she was going through the process of becoming Miss Kansas.
“I think it would be pretty neat to have a winter themed pageant, maybe during the holidays or the first part of January,” White said.
People who are interested in serving on the Miss Wheat Capitol board of directors can contact the Wellington Area Chamber of Commerce. An interest meeting is being planned for Tuesday, Sept. 29th at 5:30 p.m. at the Chamber office. If requested, an additional earlier meeting may be held that day.
