Forty-eight Edwardsburg teens and pre-teens will compete Sunday for the titles of Miss and Mr. Edwardsburg, Miss and Mr. Teen Edwardsburg, Miss and Mr. Pre-Teen Edwardsburg and Edwardsburg Prince and Princess.

Pageant co-chairs Tammy Boyer and Tonya Teter-Hans are in their 10th year leading the community service-oriented event, which starts at 4 p.m. at the Edwardsburg Performing Arts Center.

“This is not just a beauty pageant, this is a community service-based scholarship program for our youth,” the co-chairs said in a press release. “It is all about teaching kids how to give back to their community and learning personal growth.”

This year’s pageant theme is “Under the Sea” for the pre-teens and prince and princesses, and “A Part of That World” for the teens and high school contestants.

The winners for each court will serve a dedicated year of community service, includig visiting the Council on Aging, the Cass County medical care facility, and participating in Relay for Life, mentoring younger students through read-ins at the school and the library, and serving as ambassadors to promote Edwardsburg when they visit the state capitol in Lansing. The courts are announced while in session on the House and Senate floors during their visit.

In the past 10 years, the pageant has grown from a Miss Edwardsburg Court of four to now having eight different courts.

The 2009 Miss and Mr. Edwardsburg Pageant will be held Sunday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. For advance tickets e-mail Tammy Boyer at tboyer8000@aol.com.