Applications are being accepted for the Miss Auburn and Miss Auburn’s Outstanding Teen 2016-17 programs.

The program is one of the strongest community-based scholarship competitions of its kind in the state. It awards more than $35,000 each year in scholarship funds to local young women in the community.

The pageant, set for Jan. 20-21, is an official preliminary to the Miss Washington, Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen, Miss America and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Scholarship Pageants.

It also provides personal development assistance in poise and self- confidence, interview-and-public-speaking skills, plus leadership and community service training.

Meanwhile, the Miss Auburn Little Sister program has openings for girls in kindergarten through fourth grade. The non-competitive mentoring program strives to develop poise, self-confidence, social skills and friendships among the girls.

Activities of a Little Sister include: orientation; participating in the Santa Parade; attending receptions, parties and service events; attending all dance rehearsals and practices; and participating in both nights of the Miss Auburn program.

There are opportunities for fifth-, sixth- and seventh-grade girls in the Miss Auburn Ambassador program. The program was created to provide leadership training for young girls and to prepare them with the skills necessary to move into Miss Auburn’s Outstanding Teen Program.

Apply at missauburn.org.