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Eight seek Pear Blossom title Pageant scheduled March 27 at North Eight Rogue Valley high school seniors will compete for the title of Miss Pear Blossom 1999 March 27 in the North Medford High School auditorium. The pageant begins at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets, $5 for adults and $3 for students, are available at the door. The finalists were chosen from 40 hopefuls who entered the competition at the local high-school level. They are Marie Richardson, Crater High School; Lindsey Bennington, Cascade Christian High School; Amber Garrard, South Medford High; Laura Jacobs, Phoenix High School; Lacey Dalton, North Medford High School; Chrissie Bartlett, Eagle Point High School; Tia Spruill, Prospect; and Jessie Harless, Ashland High School. Each was chosen on the basis of skills in leadership, community involvement, academic achievement and a written essay, and each must have a 3.5 GPA or better. The winner becomes queen and reigns over the Pear Blossom Parade on April 10. The queen receives a $1,700 scholarship. Each princess receives a $500 scholarship. During the pageant, the young women will be judged on interviews with the judges, writing and presenting an essay and answering impromptu questions on stage. Brian O'Connor of KTMT Radio will be emcee. Over the past eight years, the Pear Blossom Festival Association has given out $41,000 in scholarships to more than 60 young women in the community. The pageant was created in 1991 by Patti Bills, Darcey Mann-Self and Val James. Its goal is to add dimension to the Pear Blossom Festival and to add a scholarship opportunity. For more information, call 734-7327. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA