The Miss & Master Patriotic Colorado Pageant isn’t about Barbie doll beauty and glamorous gowns. It’s about helping children who have lost a parent who fought in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.Money raised from the pageant goes to the Maryland-based Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund, which provides cash to families affected by the death or disabling injury of a service member.Tiffany Sawyer, pageant founder, said the fund grants kids college funds, money at Christmas time or whenever a need arises.Now in its third year, the homegrown Miss & Master Patriotic Colorado Pageant has raised nearly $8,000 for the fund.As Mrs. Colorado 2007, Sawyer bridges both worlds as beauty queen and a military spouse. Her husband, Army Maj. Nathan Sawyer, will soon depart for a second tour in Iraq.In 2007, Sawyer realized she could use her pageant experience to stage a fundraiser.“It’s not a typical pageant,” Sawyer, of Colorado Springs, said. Nothing fake, such as spray-on tans or false eyelashes, is allowed, and children under 12 may not wear makeup. Judges are looking for natural beauty.“The winners are the ones who are smiling and having fun,” she said.The contest is open to boys under age 6 and girls age infant to 23 years.Sawyer has extended the entrance period for contestants to July 22. Active duty military families get half off the $100 fee.At the competition, kids over age 4 give an introduction, followed by modeling in casual and formal attire.“It really hits home to see a young child stand up and say how proud they are to be an American,” Sawyer said.

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3rd annual Miss & Master Patriotic Colorado Pageant Noon July 25Tickets are $5, under age 2 freePikes Peak Community College Centennial Campus Theatre5675 S. Academy Blvd.Call 650-2440 or visit www.misspatrioticcolorado.com.

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