The Miss Hey Days Scholarship Pageant is not a beauty contest.

Never was, in fact.

It is serious business.

The young woman selected for the honor will become an ambassador for the community and a role model for aspiring Miss Hey Days pageant contestants.

The coronation will kick-off the 2008 Hayfield Hey Days celebration beginning at 8 p.m. tonight in the Hayfield High School gymnasium.

As a participant in the Miss Hey Days Scholarship Pageant, each girl has the opportunity to grow as an individual while learning how teamwork can benefit them as well. Along with participating in several parades, the girls attend an etiquette night and a team day at Eagle Bluff Nature Center.

Each candidate is required to do at least eight hours of community service on a project of their choice and a portion of the judging is based on this project.

Along with the community service project, the girls are also judged on public speaking, attire and an interview performed by three judges.

This year, eight young women will vie for Miss Hayfield Hey Days at tonight’s pageant.

The contestants include:

Meaghan Shelstad, daughter of Marianne Sobek and Dean Shelstad.

Lindsay Kyllo, daughter of Pete and Julie Kyllo;

Laura Wagner, daughter of Corey and Jana Wagner;

Kayley Dahle, daughter of Dennis and Bridget Dahle;

Hanna Volgarino, daughter of Ross Volgarino and Colleen Reese;

Erica Elward, daughter of Shawn and Lynelle Elward;

Brittney Dahlen, daughter of Greg and Nancy Dahlen;

Megan Leckness, daughter of Gene and Suzanne Leckness.

The first public event for the new Miss Hey Days will be the 2 p.m. Sunday Hey Days celebration parade through Hayfield.