By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

PELHAM – One of Pelham High School’s most storied traditions is set to take place on Saturday, March 1.

The 2025 Miss PHS pageant is set to give Pelham High School girls from all grade levels the chance to focus on personal achievement and community engagement in a night featuring extravagant gowns and intricate performances.

The tradition began in 1977, and Kristen Blake, the director of the pageant, gave some background on what Miss PHS focuses on in particular.

“We hope to create an environment that is inclusive,” Blake said. “Our scoring system puts a large emphasis on the interview portion.”

Blake further described how the contest is judged.

“They (the contestants) are judged based on confidence, communication and poise which is displayed in their beauty walk, panel interview and onstage question,” Blake said. “Each year is different since the judges change. Scoring is subjective and that’s what keeps it exciting.”

Blake said that she is continuously impressed by the girls who participate in the pageant.

“The girls are very uplifting of each other, and I can see them become more confident with each year they compete in the pageant,” Blake said. “What really makes me proud is that they turn that confidence into the ability to lift up some of our younger contestants who have less experience.”

The event requires diligent preparation for each contestant, according to Blake.

“The contestants practice as a group in the week leading up to the pageant,” Blake said. “The girls learn an opening number choreographed by our theatre teacher, Ms. Bailey. They also practice their beauty walk and a general rehearsal of the entire pageant. The most beneficial part, in my opinion, is the interview preparation session. We bring in an expert to discuss best interview practices with the girls.”

Blake revealed that the theme of this year’s pageant was inspired by an iconic Broadway production that was recently adapted into a blockbuster film.

“Our theme is ‘Every Girl Deserves a Chance to Fly’ which is inspired by ‘Wicked,’” Blake said. “The movie brings up a lot of themes about individuality and finding one’s purpose in life. It’s been fun to pull from these themes with our music, on-stage dance and interview questions.”

Blake concluded by mentioning how the pageant raises money for PHS’s parent-teacher organization.

“This is the largest PTO fundraising event we host on campus,” Blake said. “We earn funds from ticket sales and fundraising which goes directly back to supporting our PHS family.”

For more information on the Miss PHS pageant, visit the PHS PTO’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/PTOforPHS.