It's time again to choose the next Mrs. Missouri, and once again the pageant will be held in Cape Girardeau.

"This pageant is a very exciting and glamorous event just for married women," said Deborah McConnell of Cape Girardeau, state pageant director.

The current Mrs. Missouri is Melody Hutson of Cape Girardeau.

McConnell said the pageant is definitely not a "bathing beauty contest."

Although a woman must be at least 21 to compete in the pageant, there is no age limit, she said.

"Other states have had contestants in their 60's. In the 1990 Mrs. Illinois pageant, Mrs. Photogenic was awarded to a beautifully mature woman of 61. We are looking for inner beauty that has nothing to do with age," she said.

Judges look for a woman with dignity, grace and strength of character, McConnell said.

Contestants are judged by interview and in evening gown and swimsuit competition. There is no talent competition. Prizes include scholarships for Mrs. Missouri and runners-up. A portion of the proceeds from the pageant will go to a charity selected by the new Mrs. Missouri.

The pageant will be held Jan. 17 and 18 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center. It is open to the public on Jan. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets are available by calling Diane at (314) 481-0844. Tickets also will be available at the door.

Contestants in the pageant are Melanie Duncan of New Madrid, a high school math teacher; Jackie Griffith of Scott City, a secretary and employment coordinator for Union Electric; Janna Jateff of Cape Girardeau, senior sales director for Mary Kay Cosmetics; Shari Marvel of Cape Girardeau, a sales executive for LDD; Valerie Reid of Fenton, a senior savings counselor; Darlene Bullar of St. Louis, a homemaker and temporary service employee.

Donna Adams of Charleston, works for KCHR radio in Charleston; Darla Beggs of Jackson, a flight attendant for TWA; Pat McDonald of Sikeston, who owns a retail store with her husband; Emily Modlin of Campbell, works for Job Service; and Teresa Staten of Poplar Bluff, who owns a lease company with her husband.

The winner will represent Missouri in June at the national pageant in Las Vegas.

Judges for the competition are Jayne Lybrant of Dallas, Texas; C.D. Walker II of New Orleans; Debra Ringer of Dexter; Steve Caccitori of St. Louis; Mary Beth Williams of Jackson; and Steve Engles of Cape Girardeau.