07/23/2026
July 22, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contestants Sought for 2026 Natchitoches Queens Scholarship Program
Applications Open for Miss Merry Christmas and Miss Natchitoches City of Lights &
Teen Pageants
NATCHITOCHES, LA. – Contestants are now being sought for the 2026 Natchitoches
Queens Scholarship Program, which includes the Miss Merry Christmas Pageant and the
Miss Natchitoches City of Lights & Teen Pageant. Both pageants will be held on Sunday,
September 20, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at the Natchitoches Events Center.
The Miss Merry Christmas Pageant is open to young ladies who will be enrolled in the
12th grade at a Natchitoches Parish school and are residents of Natchitoches Parish.
Contestants will compete in interview, academics, on-stage question, casual wear, and
evening wear.
The winner will be crowned Miss Merry Christmas and will receive a $1,000 in-kind
scholarship to Northwestern State University. Christmas Belles will also be selected and
will each receive a $500 in-kind scholarship to NSU. Miss Merry Christmas will serve as
the official hostess of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival and, along with the Christmas
Belles, will represent Natchitoches at various events throughout the holiday season.
The entry fee for the Miss Merry Christmas Pageant is $75. A minimum of 10 contestants is
required for the pageant to be held. Applications and entry fees must be submitted to the Natchitoches Main Street Office, 781 Front Street, Natchitoches, LA, no later than Friday, August 28, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.
The Miss Natchitoches City of Lights & Teen Pageant is open to the following divisions:
Miss (ages 18–28): Contestants must be at least 18 years old by September 1, 2027, and
no older than 28 on September 30, 2027. Participants must be enrolled in high school or
college and/or meet the state residency requirements and be registered with the Miss
America organization.
Teen (ages 14–18): Contestants must be at least 14 years old by September 1, 2027, and
no older than 18 on September 30, 2027. Participants must have been Louisiana residents
for at least 120 days before competing in the local competition and be registered with the
Miss America organization.
Contestants in the Miss Natchitoches City of Lights & Teen Pageant will compete in
interview, talent, on-stage question, fitness in sportswear, and evening wear.
The winner of the Miss Natchitoches City of Lights title will receive a $1,000 in-kind
scholarship to Northwestern State University, the official Miss America local crown, a
custom embroidered sash, and additional prizes. The Miss Natchitoches City of Lights
Teen winner will receive the official Miss America's Teen local crown, a custom
embroidered sash, and additional prizes.
The entry fee for the Miss Natchitoches City of Lights & Teen Pageant is $75, payable on the
day of the pageant. Participants are also required to raise a minimum $30 donation for the American Heart Association through their Miss America Spotfund accounts.
Applications for the Miss Natchitoches City of Lights & Teen Pageant must be submitted to
Pageant Director Gregory O'Quinn at [email protected] no later than
September 6, 2026.
Applications for both pageants can be downloaded using the following links:
https://www.natchitochesla.gov/documents/2026-mmc-information-packet/
https://www.natchitochesla.gov/documents/2026-mmc-pageant-entry-form/
https://www.natchitochesla.gov/documents/miss-col-and-teen-application/
Applications can also be picked up at the Natchitoches Main Street Office, 781 Front
Street, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Maeli Sipple at (318) 471-3879 or
[email protected]
