Bob Shiles

Staff writer

LUMBERTON — It’s once again time to vote for Robeson County’s most beautiful baby.

There are 42 babies entered in the fourth annual Most Beautiful Baby contest sponsored by the Robeson County Partnership for Children. All the contestants can be viewed inside today’s Features section of The Robesonian. They can also be viewed on the Robesonian’s website, www.robesonian.com

Voting begins Monday and continues through 5 p.m, on June 13. Votes cost $1 each and there is no limit to how many times a person can vote.

Votes can be cast in person at the partnership office, 210 E. Second St., or mailed to the partnership office. Votes can also be cast on the partnership’s website, www.robesonpartnership.org, and paid for through a Pay Pal account. Winners will be announced in the Robesonian’s Father’s Day edition on June 19.

“As always, we are excited about the contest,” said Tanya Underwood, the partnership’s program specialist. “We are appreciative to all of those who registered their children. We have enjoyed looking at the entries online and do believe that all of these babies are beautiful.”

A major fundraiser for the partnership, the local organization that oversees state Smart Start programs, the Beautiful Baby contest educates the public on how partnership programs help children learn the skills they need to be successful when they enter school. Last year, the contest raised $10,534 for the partnership.

“Every year’s contest is important, but with the potential 20 percent cut to Smart Start in the proposed state budget this year’s contest will be a crucial component to our budget,” said Jessica Lowery, the partnership’s executive director. “We encourage everyone to vote, whether they know one of the contestants or not. Choose a baby you think possesses special pizazz and vote for them.”

There will be two first place winners — a boy (prince) and a girl (princess). Each will receive $100, a parade magnet for vehicles acknowledging the title, and a crown or tiara.

Other winners and their awards are: second place, $75 and a trophy; third place, $50 and a trophy; and fourth through sixth place, $25 and a trophy.

A calendar featuring the 12 babies receiving the most votes will again be available in the fall. All contestants will be included in the calendar.

n Staff writer Bob Shiles can be reached at (910) 272-6117 or bshiles@heartlandpublications.com.