AUBURN – Three contestants were selected on Nov. 5 to represent the Androscoggin County area in the Miss Maine Scholarship Pageant in 2006.

Contestants were asked to provide a short talent presentation, and they participated in a mock interview at the Fireside Inn. Each contestant selected a platform about which she cares and that is of relevance to society. They will compete at the Miss Maine Scholarship Pageant on June 2 and 3.

Megan Beals, Miss Maine 2005, spoke to the contestants about her experience. Beals will represent Maine and compete at the Miss America Scholarship Pageant to be televised live on the CMT network on Saturday, Jan. 21.

Miss Maine contestants compete in the following categories: private interview (25 percent), talent (35 percent), swimsuit (10 percent), evening gown (15 percent), casual wear (10 percent) and on-stage question (5 percent).

The Miss Maine Scholarship Pageant is the official state preliminary to Miss America. In 2004, the Miss America Organization, along with its state and local organizations, made available more than $45 million in cash and scholarship assistance.

The Miss Maine Scholarship Organization is a not-for-profit volunteer-based program. It is looking for individuals who would like to volunteer their services and be a part of the organization for the Androscoggin area.

To find out more information about being a future contestant or volunteer, contact Laurie D. Cote, regional director, at 240-9258 or go to the Web at www.missmaine.org.