Queen Scheherazade Scholarship Pageant now accepting applications

The National Date Festival will accept applications untilOct. 9 for the Queen Scheherazade Scholarship Pageant, a spokeswoman saidtoday.

Applications are available through Riverside County high schools, theRiverside County Fairgrounds administration office and the Riverside CountyFair & National Date Festival website, according to festival spokeswomanVeronica Casper.

Pageant applicants must “exhibit exceptional character,” have at leasta 3.0 GPA, reside in Riverside County, be at least 17 years old by the Nov.23 pageant date, and have not reached the age of 22 as of the fair’s openingday on Feb. 14, 2014, Casper said.

Queen Scheherazade and her court will reign over the 2014 RiversideCounty Fair & National Date Festival, acting as the Feb. 14-23 event’s goodwillambassadors and making promotional appearances.

“The queen and court will benefit from experiences with public speakingand media relations,” Casper said.

The queen will be awarded a $3,500 scholarship, and princesses Dunyazadeand Jasmine will each be awarded $3,000 scholarships, Casper said.

Applications for the pageant will be accepted until Oct. 9 at 4 p.m.

For more information about the pageant or to obtain an application, call(951) 955-4896 or visit www.datefest.org.