HASTINGS, MN n JULY 2nd, 2021 -The Miss Hastings Scholarship Program (MHSP) will postpone the 2021 Miss Hastings Scholarship Competition to Saturday, October 9th at 3 PM from its original date of Thursday, July 15th, 2021. It will still take place at Crossroads Church, 225 33rd Street West, in Hastings.

Janelle Behny, executive director of MHSP, shed light on the organizationis change of plans. iThe Miss Hastings Scholarship Program is a service organization that promotes the education of young women by providing scholarships. With our state opening upagain, we wanted to give our candidates additional time to prepare for the competition as things return to normal.i At this time, fundraising for the 2021 competition continues. Behny expects to match or surpass the scholarships awarded in 2019 when Miss Hastings 2020 won a $1,000 scholarship, her first runner-up received a $300 scholarship, and her second runner-up won a $100 scholarship. MHSP will confirm the scholarship amounts closer to competition time. MHSP also plans to present $100 to each winner of the Talent Award, the Spirit of Miss America Award, and the Peopleis Choice Award. Advance sale tickets for the event may be purchased at https://www.misshastings.org/online-store.

Candidates can use their scholarships at any accredited college or trade school of their choice, but they donit have to be students. They can be career women, too. If they already have a degree or diploma, they can apply their award toward a student loan or a class at an accredited college or trade school to earn a special certificate.

Opportunities to win scholarships in STEM, talent, and many more categories, are available at the Miss Minnesota Competition, where the current Miss Hastings and her predecessor both won awards as semifinalists. Young women who will be 17 by the end of this July but no older than 24 by the end of this year and have a high school diploma or GED by June 2022 are eligible to enter the local competition. For more details, check the MHSP website at https://www.misshastings.org/eligibilty.

Reflecting on the role of Miss Hastings, Behny said, iltis like an internship that gives her a platform to advocate a cause she is passionate about promoting. She is an ambassador of our community, a servant leader within it, and a role model to our youth. Miss Hastings connects with our community, is part of fun events, and meets new people. The experience preparing to compete for the title is invaluable, and the year of service as Miss Hastings can enhance the future of the young woman who wears the crown. Itis about building relationships, and the experience is truly life-changing !i To become a candidate, learn more, or become an event volunteer, please call or text MHSP at 651-2708984 or email [email protected]