KINGSTON — Each year, contestants come together onstage in the hopes that they’ll perform well enough to represent Kingston as its royal court.

The crowning moment for the much anticipated pageant is just two weeks away, and five local teens are ready to step into the limelight as they vie for the coveted roles of Miss Kingston and the Miss Kingston princesses.

As Miss Kingston, each of the ladies competing hopes to make a difference in the North End community, improving it in her own special way. The current Miss Kingston, who will hand over the title Aug. 12, attests to this unique vision.

“It’s amazing being Miss Kingston,” said Miss Kingston 2005 Erinn Bartlett. “I’ve had a great year, met a lot of nice people and helped out a lot of causes. I hope whoever wins this year will have as good a time as I did.”

Hoping to do just that are this year’s Miss Kingston Pageant candidates:

Paige Woodside: Daughter of Doug and Karla Woodside, this soon-to-be senior at North Kitsap High School enjoys traveling, skiing and water skiing. At 16 years old, her favorite subjects are history, English and merchandising. In her free time, Woodside is a member of the NKHS Gymnastic Team, NKHS Golf Team, the NKHS National Honor Society, Young Life and participates in recreational soccer.

Her creative display will be a dance to music from Havana Nights.

“I strongly believe that the pageant will help me move forward with my life, because it teaches you many valuable things that will come in handy later,” Woodside said.

Amber Hoak: This 15 year old is the daughter of Ed and Rita Hoak, and will be entering her sophomore year at NKHS in fall. Hoak enjoys geometry, science, English, musical composition on the piano, fitness and serving the community. She also likes to work with student government (ASNK), volleyball, the National Junior Honor Society, volunteering at Harrison Hospital, Lifetime Fitness and playing competitive piano. For her creative display, Hoak will be performing her own cadenza and lyrics to the piano piece “Fountains in the Rain” by William L. Gillock.

“Right now, to prepare for the pageant, I am striving to stay current on local and worldwide events,” Hoak said. “My mom quizzes me daily on interview questions and every opportunity I get, I practice walking in heels.”

Felicia Genevieve Perl: She is the 17-year-old daughter of Laurel J. Cheff and Yoichiro Shuin. During her senior year at NKHS, Perl said she will enjoy studying foreign languages, history and art. In her free time, she enjoys foreign languages and cultures, reading, LINK, she is on the Honor Roll, bible study and playing lacrosse. She will be coaching lacrosse to younger kids during the summer.

Perl will be doing a monologue for her creative display.

“You must be 100 percent devoted to this commitment,” Perl said, giving advice to girls who wish to compete in a pageant. “Put forth all your effort and truly want it with your heart.”

Markie Rustad: This upcoming senior at NKHS is the daughter of Mark and Judy Rustad. At 17, she enjoys writing, reading, arts and crafts, and choir. She is involved with Cybercare and LINK. When school rolls around, Rustand will enjoy her favorite subjects, choir, English and history. In her spare time, she works at Famous Footwear.

Her creative display will be performing a song from “Wicked,” the popular Broadway musical.

“My mother and father always taught me to reach for the stars and be independent,” Rustad said of what prepared her for the upcoming pageant. “When they taught me that, they taught me to be who I was and be proud of that no matter what the situation was.”

Shannon Fyfe: At 15 years old, she is the daughter of David and Linda Fyfe, and will be a junior at NKHS this fall. She enjoys studying choir, English and history. In her spare time, Fyfe enjoys singing, dance, horses, and is involved with tennis, choir and Life Savers.

She also spends time providing childcare for the Wolfe PTA and horse care.

Fyfe will be singing “Just Around the River Bend” from Pocahontas for her creative display.

“Once Miss Kingston, I would help out my platform (the Teen Mentor Program) by volunteering and getting all my friends to join in,” Fyfe said of why she wants to be Miss Kingston. “I would also tighten this community by visiting and getting to know every owner and worker.”