70th Miss Delaware Pageant set June 9-11

The 70th anniversary of the Miss Delaware Scholarship Pageant will be celebrated Thursday, Friday and Saturday, June 9, 10 and 11, at Dover Downs. The pageant will begin each night at 7:30 p.m. and will feature the music of Ke$ha, Britney Spears, “Glee” and others in the Delaware Stars theme.

There are 16 young ladies vying for the title of Miss Delaware 2011, who will be crowned Saturday, June 11. Miss Delaware 2011 will then go on to compete in the Miss America Pageant.

Miss Delaware 2011 contestants include:

• Shaila Teresa Gillis, Miss East Coast, of Dover, University of Delaware 2009 graduate, Spanish education major; talent, contemporary vocal “I Believe”; platform, youth mentoring

• Heather Marie McKinney, Miss Kent County, of Houston, West Chester University 2011 graduate, mathematics and science major; talent, contemporary dance, “Dancing”; platform, You’re the Cure!

• Chelsea-Lee Ray, Miss Blue-Gold, of Williamstown, N.J., The College of New Jersey graduate, political science major; talent, vocal, “Don’t Rain on My Parade”; platform, Action for Healthy Kids

• Tierra Fair, Miss Atlantic Coast, of New Castle, University of Miami 2011 graduate, broadcast journalism and criminology major; talent, poetry interpretation, “Self-Reflection”; platform, Suicide and Depression Prevention in Young People

• Stephanie Bailey, Miss Southern Delaware, of Bear, The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts 2010 graduate, dramatic arts major; talent, classical vocal, “Caro nome che il mio cor”; platform, SPIRIT - Self-Perceptions Improve Respect in Teens

• April Stevenson, Miss Tri-County, of Seaford, University of Delaware 2010 graduate, accounting major, management information systems minor; talent, clogging, “Tutti Frutti”; platform, youth mentoring

• Steffi Holmes, Miss New Castle County, of Dover, University of Delaware 2010 graduate, vocal performance major; talent, opera, “Nessun Dorma”; platform, youth outreach

• Kristina Ada Maynard, Miss Wilmington, of Dover, Wesley College 2010 graduate, elementary education major; talent, ballet en pointe, “Midnight Garden”; platform, Delaware Hospice

• Chelsea Betts, Miss Eastern Shore, of Georgetown, West Virginia University student, human nutrition and foods major; talent, vocal, “Listen”; platform, Alzheimer’s awareness and advocacy

• Melissa Caltabiano, Miss Mid-State, of Millsboro, Widener University School of Law student, law major; talent, tap dance, “Hey Pachuco”; platform, Celebrating Everyday Pink

• Marcie Smith, Miss Newark, of Newark, University of Delaware 2010 graduate, plant science major, landscape horticulture and political science minors; talent, vocal, “Gimme, Gimme”; platform, National Eating Disorder Association

• Maria Cahill, Miss Rehoboth Beach, of Newark, Wilmington University student, marketing major; talent, Irish dance, “The Lord of the Dance”; platform Project 16-26: Drive Safe, Drive Smart

• Erin Magnin, Miss Central Delaware, of Dover, University of Delaware student, music education major; talent, contemporary vocal, “I Dream in Color”; platform, depression awareness

• Jessica Tilley, Miss Diamond State, of Smyrna, Wilmington University 2010 graduate, master’s in business education; talent, dance, “Jai Ho”; platform, Making Connections: Encouraging Self-Inclusion for Youth With Disabilities

• Mikaila Marie Ryan, Miss Mid-Atlantic, of Middletown, University of Delaware student, liberal arts major; talent, musical theater vocal, “The Wizard and I”; platform, Finding the Key to Unlock Your Potential

• Alyssa Murray, Miss Sussex County, of Selbyville, University of Delaware student, communications major; talent, acrobatic jazz dance, “It’s About That Walk”; platform, Mela-No-More, skin cancer advocacy and awareness.

Tickets are available through Dover Downs. For more information, visit doverdowns.com.