Extraco Banks funds scholarships for Rabbit Fest pageant
Fri, 2016-04-22 05:00
News Staff
By DAVID MORRIS
Cove Leader-Press
With the royalty huddled around, Rheanne Moore swiftly wrote out a check from Extraco Banks for the sum of $1,000 to fund scholarships for Young Miss, Teen and Miss Rabbit Fest for the 2016 Rabbit Fest Scholarship Pageant.
The pageant set for May 14 at Lea Ledger Auditorium is open to contestants of all ages, with boys’ categories up to age eight.
“This is a great opportunity for the bank to have some additional exposure in the community,” branch manager Zuly Del Valle said. “Our branch wants to be a part of the community here in Copperas Cove and what better way than through the Rabbit Fest and pageant.”
Extraco Banks will be presenting checks to all of the titleholders who receive college scholarships as part of their prize package.
“For the previous pageants we weren’t sure how to participate and thought it was going to be to costly to sponsor,” said Del Valle. “This year when Wendy reached out for sponsorship we jumped right in and are happy to have the opportunity to be helping the next generation in our community.”
Copperas Cove Rabbit Fest Scholarship Pageant titleholders age nine and older are required to have a platform of service during their reign. Contestants will be asked about their community service platforms during the onstage question portion of the competition based on what is written on the application.
“The Copperas Cove community is very big on giving back,” said Del Valle. “These girls give back and help bring this community together. That is evident from the many businesses that help support the pageant. Some may see it as just a beauty competition, but I look at it as setting an example of how to live and give back.”
Copperas Cove Rabbit Fest Scholarship Pageant titleholders are required to log their volunteer hours earned through appearances and will be eligible for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award awarded quarterly. Titleholders compete for the opportunity to reign a second year as the Rabbit Fest Scholarship Pageant Ambassador with the selection being determined by the number of hours accrued during the year of reign.
“Here in Copperas Cove we are dedicated to the youth of the community and want to make sure they have the support that they need. It all comes full circle as they in turn support the businesses that support them,” she said.
Early registration is open until April 30 on the pageant’s website, www.rabbitfestpageant.com May 1, the registration fee climbs from $45 to $60 during the late registration period. An optional rehearsal is set for Lea Ledger Auditorium on May 1 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.
The rehearsal is not mandatory for contestants, although during rehearsal contestants will draw for numbers and have a photo made for the pageant program.