When people think of the word "pageant," they usually think of young women competing to be named the most beautiful or most talented.

The Miss Camellia Pageant, which will be held tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Ritz Theater, is not just another "beauty pageant." It is a great opportunity for young women to earn well-deserved scholarship monies which will help further their education, making them more well-rounded and prepared for the future.

The reigning Miss Camellia, Scarlett Deupree, has already made some outstanding advancements in her life as she was recently named Miss Alabama and will be competing in the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City in September.

The Miss Camellia Program, which is entering its fourth year, is the only area preliminary to the Miss Alabama/Miss America scholarship programs. Former Miss Alabama Wendy McDougal and Bill Alverson began the program, which now offers nearly $2,000 in scholarship monies to Miss Camellia each year.

Sixteen young women will compete for the title and scholarship money tonight with the theme set as "Celebrating the Spirit of the Olympics."