RIVERSIDE COUNTY – Southwest California Pageants offers young women in the communities of Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Lake Elsinore and Wildomar a unique opportunity to become involved in city events and community activities.

"Our scholarship pageants focus on community service for our titleholders," said, Anne Bowman, Director of Southwest California Pageants. "For young women in the five local cities of Southwest County, our pageants give them a chance to develop their character, build self-esteem and give back to the city that they call home. We show them how they can become role models and peer-leaders."

While a titleholder’s main priority is community service and involvement, there is also time for fun. Chamber of Commerce monthly mixers, parades and social events round out the activities and give the young ladies a chance to develop friendships with their "sister queens."

SWC Pageants is gearing up for its two "City Pageants" this spring. The March 16 pageant will be for girls and young women from Murrieta and Temecula. The pageant, which is being held at Bella Advertisement

[ Carrington Home Loans ] Vista Middle School, 31650 Browning St. in Murrieta, will crown separate "courts" for both Temecula and Murrieta. The pageant includes eight divisions from ages 3 to 21 years.

On April 20, girls and young women from the cities of Wildomar, Lake Elsinore and Menifee will vie for their city titles. This pageant will be held at Elsinore High School, 21800 Canyon Dr. in Wildomar. Like the previous pageant, each city will have its own "court" with eight new queens representing each of the age divisions.

All pageants have residency requirements.

"Our contestants must live in the city that they wish to represent," said Ms. Bowman. "We feel it is important that these young ladies have a real connection to their communities."

In most cases, girls living in unincorporated communities of Riverside County, but attending school within the city limits, will be allowed to register for the pageant.

For more information about SWC Pageants and upcoming pageants, visit the website www.swcpageants.org or contact Director Anne Bowman at (951) 541-9163.