Fraternity puts on Plus-Sized Beauty Pageant at WKU.

[Wolfman]

In contrast to the Greek stereotypes about female beauty, one fraternity chapter goes against the grain to sponsor a "different" kind of contest at Western Kentucky University tonight.

Miss Omega pageant takes place Wednesday

First there were 24. Now there are 13, and tomorrow night there will be only one.

With about 10 weeks of intense, rigorous practices, the contestants of the inaugural Miss Omega Pageant are ready to perform a show to remember.

Miss Omega is a plus-sized pageant, sponsored by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, which will take place Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in DUC Theater.

The Omegas decided to host a pageant for full-figured women to embrace the beauty of a woman's curves, said Montez Phillips, co-coordinator of the pageant and a Western alumnus.

There has never been anything like this at Western, said pageant coordinator Branson Holly, a graduate student from Baltimore.

At first, there were about three practices a week and contestants were required to attend practice at least once a week. As time progressed, practices became longer and more frequent.

Contestants practiced about four hours a night, six days a week.

"I'm just ready to get my life back," said contestant Jocelyn Fernandez, a Nashville senior. "This is boot camp."

Holly demanded such intense practices to ensure the longevity of Miss Omega.

"We're always pushing the envelope and trying to do something different, and this pageant is an avenue in accomplishing this," Holly said. "And the girls' energy is so serious, I can't let it not be taken seriously."

As time winds down, the creators and contestants of the Miss Omega Pageant can hardly wait.

Nashville freshman Ty Palms, a contestant, wants to show that beauty is not always about a size two, four or five.

"Beauty has no size," she said. "This pageant is showing that we are beautiful women."

- Stephanie Keene