Cooper City to Host First Annual ‘Miss Cooper City’ Pageant

BY KENDYL COUNTS

It’s time to break out those high heels, because the registration packets for the very first Miss Cooper City USA and Miss Cooper City Teen USA pageants have just been released on Cooper City’s official website. The pageant will be held on March 9th, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the Cooper City High School Auditorium, but contestants are required to register by February 15, 2017.

The competition consists of an interview, an evening gown category, a fitness wear category, and an optional talent category.  Each category will be taken into equal consideration by the judges. Finalists will participate in the Cooper City Founder’s Day parade on March 11th, where the final crowning will take place at 4:00 p.m. on the main stage.

“When I decided to add a pageant to the Cooper City Recreation Department Calendar of Events, I wanted to make sure that it would be a platform for women where they could gain valuable experience and develop life skills, with endless possibilities for their future,” Recreation Program Specialist Felicia Trainor said. “I researched a multitude of pageant organizations to see which would be the best fit for Cooper City.”

By choosing the Miss USA Organization, Trainor was ensured guidance and resources for putting the event together, as well as flexibility with the categories. Instead of the traditional swimsuit category, the competition will feature an activewear category to promote a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, the optional talent portion will encourage participation from everyone, even if they’re hesitant to break out into song. Though it’s the very first year that Cooper City will be hosting the Miss USA Organization, CCHS students agree that it’s never too late to start a new tradition.

“I think that [having a pageant] is really cool,” CCHS Senior Nicole Pardon said. “Cooper City has never done one before and all [of] the cities around us have, so why not?”

Winning the pageant comes with more than just a tiara and a sash. The responsibilities of Miss Cooper City USA and Miss Teen Cooper City USA extend throughout the year, including attending Light Up Cooper City, Brunch with Santa, and Founder’s Day 2018. The winners will also move on to the Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen USA pageants, with their entrance fee covered by the city.

The application fee for Miss Cooper City is $40 and can be entered by Cooper City residents ages 18 to 26, while the application fee for Miss Teen Cooper City is $30 and can be entered by Cooper City residents ages 14 to 18. A Little Miss Cooper City USA registration packet is expected to be released in January.

“I anticipate the pageant experience to be one of a kind,” Trainor said. “I can’t wait to see our winner walk the Miss Florida USA and Miss Florida Teen USA stage.”