Pageant Makes Stop at Hyatt Regency Reston

The mezzanine of the Hyatt Regency Reston is full of tiaras and talent this weekend as the National American Miss pageant holds it Maryland competition.

Girls from ages 4 to 18 are competing in  modeling, talent, community involvement and personal interviews for a chance an age-group title, a $1,000 prize and a trip to the national finals in Anaheim, Calif., this fall.

Pageant director Lou Schneider says 24,000 girls apply to enter the National American Miss pageants annually. About 8,000 arr accepted to participate.

He added that National American Miss is a low-key pageant system.

"It is so not like the show 'Toddlers and Tiaras,' " Schneider said, referring to the TLC show that portrays pageants in a somewhat negative light. "We have a no-makeup rule for the girls under 12. Ten percent of their score is on community involvement. They donate a book or stuffed bear to charity as part of their participation."

Louise Galia of Oxon Hill was at yesterday's optional talent competition with her 6-year-old daghter, Anjelle. This is Anjelle's third pageant. She started participating at age 4, and finished in the top 10 in her age group last year, Galia says.

"Growing up in the Philippines, I used to participate in pageants," says Galia. "You get to have a lot of perks, to meet important people. Anjelle loves it."

Three of the five Miss Maryland winners will be crowned tomorrow afternoon. Miss Maryland Junior Teen (ages 13-15) and Miss Maryland Teen (16-18) will be crowned Monday.