Scholarship money up for grabs: Entry time for Miss Hi-Yu

Just a few more weeks for young women to apply to enter this year’s Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu competition (photo from our coverage of the 2009 coronation). You’ve heard “it’s not a beauty pageant, it’s a scholarship competition” before – it’s truly the case here, and in addition to having college money up for grabs, there’s also the chance to represent West Seattle at appearances around the region – we remain the ONLY community that still has its own parade float, and the Hi-Yu court travels with it. There’s $2,000 scholarship money for the Queen and $1,000 for each Princess; March 31 is the deadline to apply – you can get the form here (also download the accompanying letter here). For eligibility info, check out our previous report.

mpento March 9, 2010 (3:13 pm)

a scholarship competition that excludes men. I wonder what would happen if the higheel was on the other foot? And even if a man could enter it would still be gender biased. Oh and its ageist and marrageist too. Just terrible terrible terrible.

Meghan March 9, 2010 (4:59 pm)

When women have true equal access to education (or management positions – or pay scales – or corporate boardrooms – or the presidency for that matter), they won’t need to parade around in swimsuits and high heels to get scholarships, Mpento.

WSB March 9, 2010 (5:13 pm)

I know the point is wider but since there are many fine readers who take things quite literally … there is no swimsuit competition in Miss Hi-Yu; I’ve covered the pageant the past couple years. There IS a talent competition.

rw March 9, 2010 (5:22 pm)

OK, I’m game.

Why isn’t there a Mr. Hi-Yu scholarship competition?

And how about scholarship money for the “King” as well as for any “Princes?” Recent news articles have talked about the number of women attending college exceeding the number of men attending college. Perhaps improving the financial incentives for men would help address this imbalance.

Just asking.

(By the way, I’m not trying to take sides with Meghan or Mpento)

TJ March 10, 2010 (1:11 am)

The idea of a mr. West Seattle has been tossed around a number of times. The miss hi-yu program is run by volunteers, none of whom have the time to initiate or run another program, perhaps you’d be interested?!

TJ March 10, 2010 (1:47 am)

And “pageants” to some are quite fun! Why wouldn’t a young woman like to display her talent, poise, confidence, public speaking skills, and ability to represent her community at other local festivals and parades? All while earning scholarship money? I see nothing at all wrong with rewarding these wonderful, well-rounded young women for their accomplishments.