If you are female,  single, have never been married and are between the ages of 13 to 18, applications are being accepted for the title of 2017 Miss Teen Freeborn    County, according to a press release.

Miss Teen Freeborn    County will represent her county at the Miss Teen Minnesota pageant, which  will be April 29 at Wellstone Center in St. Paul.

The young lady chosen as Miss Teen Freeborn   County will become an ambassador for  the Freeborn County area and will receive an official title and sash.

The young lady chosen as Miss Teen Minnesota will receive a prize package and college scholarship totaling $30,000 and the chance to represent Minnesota at the  2017 Miss Teen International pageant in Charleston, West Virginia, in July.                                                                                                

The American Heart Association’s’ Go for Red for Women  is the official charity of the Miss Teen Minnesota pageant.

The current reigning 2016  Miss Teen Minnesota is  Kelly Brown  of Inver Grove Heights. As Miss Teen Minnesota, Brown speaks out on “See the Person, Not the Disability.” Brown’s two  brothers were born with intellectual disabilities as a result of a blood order called thalassemia. One brother is higher functioning but the other brother has difficulty communicating. Brown said it is hurtful and frustrating when she sees others only focus on their disabilities, which is what they have  but not who they are. By partnering with The Arc organization, it is her goal to protect those with disabilities and support their inclusion and participation in their community.

For more information, go to www.thearc.org.

Teens will compete in a personal interview, fitness wear, fun fashion wear and evening gown. There is no talent or swimsuit competition.

Young teen ladies living in Freeborn County interested in applying should write to Miss Teen Minnesota International Pageant, P.O. Box 240537, Apple Valley, MN 55124-0537. For more information, call  952-432-6758, fax 952-953-3896 or email pagunltd@frontiernet.net.