Most high schools across the country will be reopening later this month. and while many parents are still struggling to meet school expenses there is another problem that has been affecting a large number of these secondary students.

While there is no hard data to confirm just how high school students go hungry on a daily basis the problem does exist. Much focus has been placed on providing at least a balanced breakfast and lunch for primary school children but with the exception of a few high schools there are no such programmes in place to help the older students.

One organization called “Youths Creating Talent” hopes to raise the funds it will use to help feed high school students who cannot afford to buy lunch when they return to classes later this month.

According to the organizations founder Justin Gill, for awhile they have been holding fund raising drives or depending on the assistance from the business sector to help them meet their objective but it has not been easy. So he decided to get a group of high school pageant queens to come together for the first time to compete but for a good cause.

This morning 7news caught up with the five young ladies busy rehearsing at the Memorial Park.

Amanda Taylor – Miss Sadie Vernon 2008 – 2009
Hi I am the bright, the brilliant sixteen year old Amanda Taylor miss Sadie Vernon 2008 – 2009.

Kadejah Tun – Miss E P. Yorke High
Hi Belize, I am fifteen year Old Kadejah Tunn proudly representing E. P Yorke High School

Sasha Reneau – Miss Wesley College
Hi, I am nineteen year old Sasha Reneau proud to be representing the most prestigious institution Wesley College of 2007 - 2008

Gorlee Marin – Miss Palloti High
I am fifteen year old Jerilee Marin proudly representing the most prestigious Palloti High School.

Casey Reynolds – Miss St. Michael’s College
Hi I am the young and energetic seventeen year old Casey Reynolds proudly representing Saint Michael’s College.

Justin Gill – Organizer, Miss Teen Highschool
“We have been getting a few assistance from a few business places but not as many. So that is the reason why I decided o have this pageant where queens will be competing against each other.”

“Because we need more finance to assist us with the feeding programme so that is why I decided to do that so that we are in summer right now so we can raise some funds for the new school year and this is one of the biggest projects that I am having.”

Casey Reynolds- Miss St. Michael’s College
“What do you hope to bring to this pageant? Well laughter and entertainment.”

Jacqueline Godwin
“And when Justin approached why did you decide to enter, did you hesitate or was it a quick “Yes, I want to be in that pageant?”

Casey Reynolds- Miss St. Michael’s College
“First I thought of it but he didn’t tell me the reason for the pageant and then I asked him why and he said that it was for his feeding programme, to raise funds for his feeding programme and then I told him yes.”

Justin Gill – Organizer, Pageant
“I am hoping to raise fifteen to twenty thousand because it is the first one. “

Sasha Renau – Miss Wesley College
“Well, I decided o enter this pageant because Justin told me it was for a very worthy cause, to feed young youths who do not have the opportunity to get a lunch in the afternoon. So I believe that I did it for that reason.”

Gorlee Marin – Miss Palotti High
“Well it has been very fun. I met the girls and very respectable young ladies.”

The pageant gets underway at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall on Friday night at seven sharp. Tickets in advance can be bought for five dollars for children, ten dollars for general and fifteen dollars for reserve.