TURNER — The first Miss Merry Christmas Beauty Pageant to benefit the Hope Haven Gospel Mission will be held Saturday, Dec. 3, at Leavitt Area High School. All proceeds will benefit the Hope Haven Gospel Mission in Lewiston.

The pageant is open to females up to age 18.

Contestants will be judged in three separate categories. They include:

* Facial Beauty — Contestants will be judged on facial beauty for one-third of their total score. No points are taken off for missing teeth, braces, bumps and bruises, which are are all part of growing up.

* Stage Personality — Each contestant will either be asked a question to which she must respond, or be asked to perform some simple task on the spot. The authenticity of her answer or performance, and of her persona, will be criteria for judging.

* Overall Appearance — Judging for overall appearance takes in to account the neatness of the contestants, including clothing, hair and makeup.

The winner will receive a number of prizes with a total value of more than $200, including a rhinestone tiara plated in sterling silver, a satin embroidered pageant banner, a one-year subscription to Pageantry Magazine and a Christmas Queen’s Trophy

The deadline to register is Friday, Nov. 4. There will be a maximum of 10 contestants per age division. Contestants must register in advance by email in order to participate. For information email  helpinghands@missamericanallstar.com, call 931-8229 or visit www.missamericanallstar.com and click on the Maine’s Miss Merry Christmas link.