Four local girls were given the opportunity to dress like princesses and be Rising Stars, or little sisters to the Miss Alabama pageant contestants this past weekend.

Merrill Ann Culverhouse served as Miss Friendliest City Elizabeth Anne Beasley’s rising star ; Abbey Jo Weatherford served as Miss Front Porch City Katherine Fuller’s rising star; Emmy Rabren served as Miss Childersburg Area a Julie Meeks’ rising star; and Ella Kate Nichols served as Miss Wallace State Sara Beth Drake’s rising star.

As part of the Rising Star program, the girls accompanied their misses to the Miss Alabama pageant during the pageant week, and participated in all sorts of activities.

The program is for girls ages 7 to 11, and is noted as a mentoring and learning program.

“It was so much fun to get to visit with friends I had met through Miss Alabama,” Culverhouse said. “I truly have gained life-long friends from all over our great state.”

Culverhouse said the rising stars had the opportunity to learn a dance number and performed Friday night.

Rabren said “it was an opportunity of a lifetime.”

“I really enjoyed spending time with all the contestants and getting to know them better,” she said. “I loved being there to support my ‘Big Miss’ every night, and especially loved being on stage with her on the night she performed her talent.”

Additionally, Rabren said she especially loved the fundraising aspect of the pageant.

“The lemonade stand me and Ella Kate Nichols did was a good community service experience for us both,” Rabren said.

The rising stars raised money for the Children’s Miracle Network this year, and proceeds from the lemonade stand went to charity.

Nichols said the highlight of her week was “dancing to ‘ABC’ with Sara Beth on the Miss Alabama Stage.”

Weatherford’s favorite part was meeting Fuller and all the other Miss Alabama contestants, she said.

“They are all amazing and smart young women,” she said. “I had the most amazing experience on stage Friday night, and my dream is to be a contestant one day. Thank you to Margaret Fox and Janice Hollis for allowing me to be a rising star this year.”

Miss Hoover, Anna Laura Bryan was chosen as Miss Alabama 2012 on Saturday.

Culverhouse is the daughter of Merrill and Susan Culverhouse; Rabren is the daughter of Kim an Doug Rabren; Weatherford is the daughter of Susan and Donnell Weatherford; and Nichols is the daughter of Amy and Todd Nichols.