By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Shelby Baptist Medical Center is sponsoring an opportunity for Chilton County teachers to receive money for supplies for their classrooms.

Marketing Director Laura Bright said the idea developed while talking to Lions Club member Debbie Knowles about being involved in the Peach Pageant this year.

In an effort to have more teachers attend the pageants, Knowles had wanted to start a contest with a cash prize for the teachers.

Bright said Shelby Baptist Medical Center will sponsor three $350 prizes to be awarded via a random drawing. At each Peach Pageant they attend, teachers will put their name in for the drawing. The more pageants a teacher attends the greater the likelihood she or he will win one of the cash prizes.

“We were thrilled to be able to bring the gift to reality,” Bright said,

The funds will be specifically for supplies, technology or equipment for the teacher’s classroom.

“A lot of these teachers are spending their own money on their classrooms to supply basic things,” Bright said.

Winners will be contacted after the drawing. Bright said the drawing might be done on the night of the Miss Peach Queen pageant, but teachers would not have to be present to win.

Last Year, Shelby Baptist offered a $1,500 academic scholarship opportunity to Peach Pageant contestants. The recipient was selected through an essay contest. The scholarship opportunity will be offered again this year.

“What is great about the pageants is they are very much a part of who the community is,” Bright said.

She said she enjoyed seeing members of the community and how excited they were at the event.

“It’s a well-produced event,” Bright said.

This year’s Peach Pageants will be held in the Chilton County High School Auditorium.

The Little Miss Pageant (ages 5-7) will be June 17 at 6:30 p.m. The Young Miss Pageant (ages 8-11) will be June 19 at 6:30 p.m. The Junior Miss Pageant (ages 12-14) will be June 20 at 6:30 p.m. The Miss Pageant (ages 15-18) will be held, June 22 at 6:30 p.m.