Miss North Carolina Katherine Southard and Miss North Carolina's Outstanding Teen Katherine Puryear will be special guests at an upcoming informational session for the Miss Greater Pee Dee Pageant.

The pageant has made some changes from last year when it was the Miss Anson County Pageant. Then, the contestant pool was limited to Anson County. This year, the pageant has been opened up to include Anson, Union, Richmond and Montgomery counties. Wadesboro's Lillie Templeton was the winner of the Miss Anson County Pageant.

"The visit from 'The Two Katherines,' as they are called throughout the state, will give our young people an opportunity to meet two of North Carolina's finest, face to face," said Subrina Hough, local pageant committee chairman.

The Miss Greater Pee Dee informational session is designed to address any concerns or questions prospective contestants may have. Pageant officials say it will also awaken young ladies' imaginations to the possibilities before them.

The pageant is being sponsored by HOLLA!, a local grassroots organization aiming to motivate children to succeed. The group also sponsors the Anson Idol singing competition and co-sponsors the HOLLA!/Hampton B. Allen Library Literary Festival, which has brought scores of notable authors to the area.

The Miss Greater Pee Dee Informational Session will be held 5 p.m. Dec. 29, at the Hampton B. Allen Library. It will begin with a reception.

The public is encouraged to attend. For more information, call 704-694-3552 or visit www.wadesboro.com.