'Honored to be Miss MSU' [Alpha Gamma Delta]

[TSteven]

'Honored to be Miss MSU'
Students vie for title in pageant
By Phil Dishon
Published: Friday, April 8, 2005
The Murray State News


Media Credit: Rashod Taylor
Green [Alpha Gamma Delta] walks down the runway after being named Miss MSU 2005 Saturday.


Media Credit: Rashod Taylor
(Left) Tiffany Wilson, senior from Hardinsburg, hugs LeeAnna Green, junior from Mayfield, after Green was announced as the winner.

The stage of Lovett Auditorium was transformed by the addition of a catwalk as 15 women competed for the title of Miss Murray State University at the 2005 Miss MSU Scholarship Pageant Saturday.

The annual event, sponsored by the Student Government Association and the Campus Activities Board, celebrated its 35th year of honoring some of the school's most outstanding female students.

"I think this pageant has always recognized outstanding women at Murray State and has given them an opportunity to be showcased and (to) receive a scholarship," Jodi Martin, senior from Marion, said. "The purpose in general is to reward deserving women with scholarships to help them continue to excel at MSU."

Martin, who served as executive director of this year's pageant, began organizing the event last semester when applications were distributed to all student organizations.

Martin said each organization was allowed to nominate up to four women to vie for a spot in the pageant.

"Any woman at Murray State is considered for the competition (if they are nominated)," Martin said.

The nominated women were given a preliminary interview and received a score based on their campus involvement and activities. Students also were given a score based on their GPA. Martin said the 15 women who had the highest scores from these components were selected as contestants.

"Each woman in this pageant has so much character and poise, and it has been a pleasure getting to know each of (them)," Martin said.

The candidates started practicing for the pageant early this semester, including weeks of dance rehearsals for the pageant's opening dance routine to "I've Got Rhythm" as performed by Dean Martin.

Charissa Acree, junior from Fulton, said the rehearsals were hard to manage because of the demanding schedules of all of the contestants.

"We started rehearsing at the end of January," Acree said. "There was a lot of hard work that went into (the pageant)."

During the pageant itself, the contestants were narrowed down to five after a panel of judges deliberated over the evening wear exhibition.

These finalists were each asked one question covering a broad range of topics from family life, school appreciation and personal expression. Their responses were judged on the intelligence of their answer, as well as their ability to communicate.

When the last vote was tallied, LeeAnna Green, junior from Mayfield, received the coveted crown and title.

"I have never been in pageants, so this was a new and exhilarating experience for me," Green said. "I am so excited and honored to be Miss MSU 2005. I hope that I will make the students, faculty, staff and alumni proud by being this year's Miss MSU."

Martin said as Miss MSU, Green will be obligated to participate in numerous campus events and serve as an ambassador for the University.

This includes participating in Homecoming ceremonies and other CAB sponsored events.

Martin said Green must also be a part of next year's pageant where she will crown the next Miss MSU.

"All the ladies (were) very deserving, but I was pleased with LeeAnna being chosen as Miss MSU," she said. "She is outstanding and will be a great ambassador for Murray State, and (she) will carry this title well."

Acree, who won second runner-up in the pageant as well as Miss Photogenic, was also pleased about her Alpha Gamma Delta sorority sister winning the pageant.

"I was so proud," Acree said. "There is no doubt in my mind that she deserved the crown. She is involved with (almost) everything on campus."

Green said she was honored to get to work with the other women in the pageant, and she hopes to use her newly won title to make a difference.

"As Miss MSU, I simply hope that I can be the best ambassador possible for Murray State," Green said. "Murray State, to me, is a place of growth, opportunity and wonderful relationships. I hope to show others what a great university Murray State can be for everyone involved."