The Miss Central Pennsylvania Scholarship Pageant, a preliminary to the Miss Pennsylvania Pageant, is currently accepting applications through Nov. 17.

To participate, women must be unmarried and between the ages of 17 and 24. Contestants must also reside, attend school or be employed in one of the 25 Central Pennsylvania counties.

The pageant will be held Feb. 23, 2002 in Lewistown and will name two titleholders -- Miss Central Pennsylvania and Miss Greater Juniata Valley. Contestants are judged in talent, interview, eveningwear and swimsuit. Each year more than $3,000 in scholarships is awarded to local winners and the runner-ups.

There are no entry fees or sponsorships required for entry into the pageant.

Information and applications are available by phoning (717) 248-7396 in Lewistown, (717) 612-1912 in Harrisburg, (814) 695-4170 in Hollidaysburg or online at www.MissCentralPA.org.