KINGSTON — Miss Kingston is not just about wearing gorgeous dresses, meeting new people and traveling — it’s about each girl learning about herself and becoming a mature young woman.

That’s the goal of the board of directors for the Miss Kingston Scholarship Pageant, which is on the search for girls ages 15 to 18 years old to become contestants for its August event.

Pageant directors Allison Morrison and Leslie Burns emphasize that the lessons learned during the pageant training process, including how to dress properly, put on make-up for interviews and express themselves professionally, are the most important things the contestants can attain during the pageant experience.

“They can learn valuable things they can’t learn anywhere else,” Morrison said. “No one teaches you how to dress or act in an interview. That’s our main goal.”

While last year’s four contestants were all crowned, the directors said they plan to go back to the old format this year — crowning one queen and two princesses.

They have also brought on another board member, Rhonda Rotsten, who will be in charge of fund raising for the organization.

The board will also continue to encourage the girls to be more involved with their platforms. Both directors said this year’s court has done a wonderful job in working closely with charities, which have included Habitat for Humanity and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation’s Race For The Cure.

The deadline to turn in applications is May 25. Contestants must be 15 to 18 years old. They must live in North Kitsap, which includes Kingston, Indianola, Hansville, Suquamish and Poulsbo, and attend school within the North Kitsap School District. If they attend a private school or are homeschooled, they must live in Kingston Hansville or Indianola. They must also have a 2.5 grade point average.

Applications are available at J’Aime Les Crepes, 11264 NE State Route 104 in downtown Kingston, at Kingston and Poulsbo Junior Highs, Spectrum Community School and North Kitsap High School.

For more information, e-mail allimike19@yahoo.com or call (360) 297-6606.