BRUNSWICK — Registrations are being accepted for the 76th annual Miss Maine Scholarship Pageant scheduled for Saturday, June 16, at the Crooker Theater at Brunswick High School.

The Miss Maine Scholarship Pageant is the official state preliminary to the Miss America Pageant, the largest source of scholarships for women in the world.

All contestants will receive scholarship assistance, while Miss Maine receives more than $75,000 in cash and in-kind scholarships and prizes. Students may use their scholarships for two-year or four-year universities or colleges as well as post-graduate or graduate school.

Scholarships go directly to the student’s college or university. All participating contestants also have opportunities for additional scholarships for community service and academics among others.

“The life skills, opportunities, connections and development I have gained through my process to Miss Maine and now through my process to Miss America, will benefit me beyond college and into the work force of my choosing.” said Julia Furtado, 20, of Dayton, who won Miss Maine last June.

Potential contestants must be a United States citizen, must be between the ages of 17 and 24 and must be a high school graduate no later than six months after the date of the competition. She must be at least a six-month resident of Maine, attend a Maine university or college or work full-time in Maine. The maximum age to participate in the pageant is no more than 24 years old on Dec. 31, 2012. Deadline for participation is March 1.

Contestants will compete in a 90-second talent competition worth 35 percent of the overall score. Contestants also compete in Interview (25 percent), On-stage Question (5 percent), Evening Wear (20 percent), and Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit (15 percent).

To obtain a registration form and for additional information about Miss Maine 2012, contact Audrey Findlen at afindlen@maine.rr.com or the Miss Maine website, www.missmaine.org.