Clanton Intermediate Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is sponsoring the Miss Winter Pageant on Feb. 1 at Clanton Intermediate School.

All proceeds from the pageant will go to a summer reading program for students struggling with reading.

“I am probably the last person who would suggest having a pageant,” Clanton Intermediate School Principal David Seale said. “I was trying to come up with ideas for how to raise the money. I knew I wanted to create a summer reading program for kids who according to the data we have are a little behind.”

After approaching the PTO about the idea of hosting a pageant, Seale said the PTO liked the idea and started planning.

“They said they would handle this and they have,” Seale said. “If there was a way to have a PTO all-star team, mine would qualify. They have been fantastic.”

Tara Baker and Brandy Knox started working to organize the Miss Winter Pageant with several age categories for participants.

“Girls of all ages can participate,” Baker said.

The pageant will be held at Clanton Intermediate School on Feb. 1 with a practice day Jan. 30 at 4 p.m.

Categories are Little (ages 4-6), Petite (7-9), Young (10-12), Junior (13-15), Miss (16-18) and Photogenic.

Baker said the entry deadline is Jan. 24.

The entry fee for the pageant is $35 and $5 for photogenic.

Seale said all of the money raised from the pageant would go toward an academic program for summer reading.

“I would like to see a reading boot camp where you would have several hours for a full week leading up to when school starts back next year for kids to come and work on their reading,” Seale said.

Although the exact ages for the program have not been decided, Seale said he would like to see the program reach rising third graders.

“Ideally, I would like to have a large turnout for the pageant so the program could focus on third, fourth and fifth grade,” Seale said. “People can really support the event by attending. You can bring your neighbor and your friends.”

Baker said entries for the pageant are available at the office at Clanton Intermediate School.