The Miss Teen Bermuda Islands Pageant will hold its first orientation meeting for this year?s competition today from 5.30 to 7.30 p.m. at the BIU Hall.

The pageant is open to girls between the ages of 13 and 17 who are either Bermudian or have been Bermuda residents for at least six months.

All young ladies who wish to participate should attend today?s meeting.

Information will be distributed about the pageant?s requirements and training schedule and contestants? responsibilities and commitments.

The pageant committee is ?always amazed to see the transformation of the contestants into more outgoing, more self-confident young ladies, who are ready to take on the world by the time pageant night rolls around,? said promoter Terry Smith.

Premier Alex Scott will crown the winner at the pageant finals, which are to be held on Sunday, August 15, at 7.00 p.m. at the City Hall Theatre.

In addition to the overall title, various cash prizes and gift certificates will be awarded for titles such as First Runner-Up, Miss Talent, Miss Photogenic and Miss Congeniality.

The judging for the Miss Photogenic and Miss Talent portions will take place before the final competition.

For the Miss Photogenic segment, contestants will be photographed by a panel of pageant-selected photographers on Sunday, August 8, at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel. This segment is closed to the public.

For the Miss Talent title, contestants will be expected to display a talent before a panel of pageant-selected talent judges at 7.00 p.m. on Thursday, August 12, at the City Hall Theatre.

The registration fee for the pageant is $25 and entry forms are available in Hamilton from La Trattoria restaurant, 27th Century Boutique, Connections Boutique, Trimingham?s and the Bermuda Bookstore.

2003?s pageant winner was Sah Shay Johnston of Paget.