Glamour abounded on the stage of Bowman Auditorium at Ohio University Southern on Saturday at the inaugural Miss Memorial Day Parade pageant.

It was the brainchild of dance and arts educators, Yvonne DeKay Sinnott and Cyndi Roth, who wanted to offer a new fundraiser for the committee that puts on the longtime annual parade that is in its 147th year.

All proceeds from the event went towards the parade.

“This country was built on people who have passed away,” Sinnott said. “Memorial Day should also be for teachers, steelworkers, ministers, firefighters who have built this great country. We all have to work together.”

The categories were Mini Miss for ages 4-6; Junior Miss for 7-9; Pre-Teen Miss for 10-12; Teen Miss for 13-15; and Miss for 16-20.

Twelve-year-old Teddilyn Craft of Symmes Valley, has competed in pageant’s for the past six years. She chose this one because of her affinity for the theme it is supporting.

“I love Memorial Day,” she said. “It is my favorite holiday.”

Judges for the pageant were Mary Jo Taylor, a retired teacher, Victor Wilson, actor and veteran, and Marie Carter, owner and operator of Miss Marie’s Modern Manners and More in Huntington, West Virginia.

“To me this helps children grow with confidence and poise,” Carter said.