FAIRBORN — The American Legion Auxiliary Dignam0Whitmoire Unit 526 is hosting its annual Miss Poppy Contest, open to any kindergartner or first grade female student in the Fairborn and/or Bath Township areas, in addition to Auxiliary 526 junior members.

The winner, who will be considered “Miss Poppy” 2017, will be responsible for helping to promote the Auxiliary’s poppy program by being available to distribute poppies Saturday, May 20, to participate in the Memorial Day services; they will also ride in the July 4 parade in Fairborn. Miss Poppy is selected based on appearance (25 percent), personality (25 percent) and self-assurance (50 percent) by out-of-town judges. It is slated to take place 5 p.m. Monday, April 3 at the Fairborn Senior Center, 325 N. Third Street.

She will be crowned during the American Legion Auxiliary mother/daughter banquet Sunday, May 7, to be held at the Fairborn Senior Center. She and her mother will be the guest, receiving a dress, crown, sash and charm.

To participate, parents and/or guardians must be present for the judging and provide a form of birth date validation. If participants are considered junior members of the auxiliary, they do not have to live in Fairborn and/or Bath Township. In addition, neither parent is required to be a veteran or member of the legion or auxiliary to participate.

Deadline for entry is Thursday, March 31. Fill out an entry form which includes the parent/guardian’s name, phone number, child’s name, date of birth and address and mail it to Refugia Bowen, 1356 Ironwood Drive in Fairborn, 45324.