Last year, the organizer of the first Miss Oak Harbor pageant had to beg and cajole contestants to sign up.

This year, it’s a different story.

Nineteen young women plan to compete for a title and hundreds of dollars in scholarship money at the Miss Oak Harbor Scholarship Pageant, set for 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 19 at Oak Harbor High School.

“The dynamic and the energy this year is so different,” said director Jes Walker-Wyse. “They are so engaged and they are in it to win it.”

The pageant includes traditional elements such as a choreographed dance number and an onstage interview. It’s primarily about confidence and poise under pressure — not looks.

The teenagers competing reflect a diverse group of young women that includes equestrians, student-athletes and aspiring businesswomen. All are high school students in Oak Harbor split into two divisions — freshmen and sophomores compete in the “teen” division and juniors and seniors are in the “miss” division.

The girls don’t pay an entry fee. Instead, they enlist a local business sponsor. They receive coaching, including how to conduct an interview — a skill that will come in handy applying for college and jobs, Walker-Wyse said.

The overall “miss” winner receives $2,500 in scholarship money. Participants can win an array of awards. Last year’s overall winner, Dejsha Lollar, appeared at community events after her win and also spent time volunteering in conjunction with her church.

Tickets for the event cost $10 at the door. But if you buy tickets through a participant, they win points toward an award.

Competitors in the miss division are juniors Breanna Grehan, Maddie Gaber, Jacklyn Curtis, Chloe Stowell, Megan Corfman, Maddy Harstad and Tamia Rios and seniors Mara Powers, Matti Miesle, Resego Mooki, Brandy Myers, Krista Alamo, Ajoney Smalls, Marinna Bruland and Abby Royek. Competitors in the “teen” division are freshman Gabby Harstad and sophomores Paige Jackson, Baelee Whitinger and Sydney Koslowski.

Walker-Wyse said she wanted to start a pageant in Oak Harbor because they have played a crucial role in giving her the confidence to be a successful adult. She never won a major title, she explained, but the experience boosted her self-esteem and confidence.

She is now branch manager for Peoples Bank in Oak Harbor and serves as an Oak Harbor planning commissioner.

More information is available at the pageant website at www.pageantwyse.org. The community can vote for a favorite participant with their dollars. Each $1 counts as one vote. The People’s Choice winner receives scholarship money raised from the votes. Last year, People’s Choice winner Jacalyn Hefflefinger took home a scholarship for nearly $1,200.