Sweetheart of the Mountains applications are now being accepted
A unique opportunity for the young ladies of Plumas and Sierra counties has returned.
The Plumas Sierra County Fair Foundation and the Plumas Sierra County Fair are extending an invitation to girls between the ages of 16 and 20 to apply to compete in the 2017 Sweetheart of the Mountains Scholarship competition.
In three short years, the competition has generated nearly $15,000 in scholarships for those that have competed for the title.
With roots going back over 50 years, the Sweetheart of the Mountains has evolved from a beauty pageant to the current scholarship program.
Contestants still have to show off a talent, exhibit poise through an interview, represent the Plumas Sierra County Fair with public appearances and be a good example of character.
However, they also have an opportunity to raise funds to benefit the fairgrounds, as well as a matching scholarship fund for themselves. Their efforts in three years time has allowed the PSCF Foundation, a nonprofit corporation established for the sole benefit of the fairgrounds, to install hand dryers in the bathrooms, underwrite the entry fee grant program, and put on the annual Fair University.
Last year’s Sweetheart of the Mountains, Katie Butterfield, raised and won over $4,000 for her college career.
Exact competition dates have not yet been set, but the contest will be held in late spring. Contestants are judged on a talent, their poise during a question and answer segment, and are awarded points based on how much money they have raised for the Foundation.
A Sweetheart of the Mountains is crowned at the competition as well as a first runner-up. The 2016 first runner-up was Hope Gallup of Portola.
The committee has made small tweaks along the way as the modern program has evolved. Two years ago, the age requirement was expanded to those young ladies between the ages of 16 and 20 years of age.
This opened up the competition to those who may be in their first year of college. It is hoped this will increase the number of competitors as well as expand interest in the program.
The deadline for filing applications has been extended to the end of March due to delays in notifying potential contestants caused by weather.
Applications can be found in each of the county’s high schools, at Feather River College, online at the Fair website plumas-sierracountyfair.net and in person at the fairgrounds office, 204 Fairgrounds Rd., Quincy.
