SALISBURY — A call is going out for girls ages 8-14 in Rowan County to register for the 2024 Fashionetta pageant, sponsored by the women of the Delta Xi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Registration for the event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Rowan Public Library, 201 W. Fisher St., Salisbury on two dates, Jan. 13 in the Stanback Room and Jan. 27 in the Hurley Room. An application will be filled out during the registration sessions, noted Fundraising Chairman Shelia Miller.

The scholarship pageant is divided into two age brackets, 8-10, which is for Little Miss Fashionetta, and 11-14 is for Miss Fashionetta. The young lady who raises the most money from each age group, will be awarded the title.

Miller noted that souvenir booklet where family, friends and others in the community “can take out an ad to support the young ladies,” is available as well.

The money raised from the pageant will be awarded as scholarships, one to each of the Rowan County Schools, she said, noting that applicants fill out an application and “the recipient is selected through the committee, and once they have completed one semester of college, then they will receive the scholarship.”

During the pageant, contestants will show fashions, including school and playwear. They can share a talent, but this is not a requirement. 

However, she continued, contestants will be taught a waltz and share that with their escort and they will also learn a creative dance.

The Fashionetta pageant is a signature event of the local chapter. 

“Several AKA groups have it, but they call it different things,” Miller said. “But Fashionetta is our signature event.”

While it has been called different names through the years, including names like the Cinderella Ball, the event has been taking place for more than 50 years, she said.

This year’s pageant will be held June 22 at 5 p.m. in Varick Auditorium on the Livingstone College campus.

Miller encouraged girls to participate saying, “I think it’s a wonderful experience for them to meet other girls, and learn skills.” She likewise encouraged the community to attend telling that they can help “to encourage our young ladies to develop skills today in order to further their education, to broaden their skills in life.”