By PHOEBE DONALD ROBINSON

Little girl princesses, ages 4 through third grade, are invited to meet a real grown-up princess, Miss Shelby County 2015 Amanda Ford, on Thursday, April 9 at 4 p.m. at the Columbiana Public Library.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Columbiana Public Library, the party will feature princess pink refreshments made by FOL member Olivia Kalin and crafts making personalized tiaras led by FOL member Judi Elliott.

Ford will read a story and share how she became a princess, Miss Shelby County.

Ford, wearing her diamond tiara, will show attending princesses the proper way to wear their tiaras; princess gowns optional.

Ford has had an amazing year representing her home – Shelby County.

Born Oct. 2, 1991, the 23-year-old Helena beauty graduated from Pelham High School in 2010 and Troy University in 2014 majoring in Broadcast Journalism.

She interned at WBRC/Fox 6. An accomplished dancer, Ford trained at Pointe Dance Arts in Hoover.

Relay for Life has been Ford’s passionate platform. She has volunteered countless hours and raised thousands of dollars over her years in the Miss America Pageant system.

She is the Daisy Dukes’ team captain for Birmingham-North Shelby Relay of Life that on April 24 at 6 p.m. at the Helena Sports Complex.

Ford will also appear at the South Shelby Relay for Life held at the Columbiana Sport Complex on May 8.

Not only did Ford win Miss Shelby County in July 2014, but she also was awarded the Sonya Lefkovits Community Service Award for her devotion to volunteerism.

Named for Columbiana Leader merchant, Sonya Lefkovits was a charter member of the GFWC-Alabama Vignette Club, Vignette’s second president, founded the Columbiana Merchants and Professionals Association and was the first South Shelby Chamber Ambassador.

After her death, daughter Marsha Lefkovits and husband General Richard Quick established the $500 community service scholarship in honor of her mother’s devotion to Columbiana, the Vignette Club and community service.

The Vignette Club sponsors the MAO’s Miss Shelby County and Miss Shelby County Outstanding Teen Pageants.

Ford will crown her successor Miss Shelby County 2016 on Friday, July 17 at Shelby County High School.