2008 Woodie Awards
'Masquerade' preliminary for Miss South Carolina
Issue date: 11/9/05 Section: News
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News Editor
The organ proclaimed the "Overture" theme from "Phantom of the Opera", the 14 contestants for the Miss NGU Scholarship Pageant parade under the glowing chandelier and "A Night of Masquerade," the theme for this year's pageant, began.
The pageant was held in Turner Chapel, Saturday, Nov. 5, and was indeed a night of firsts. This is the first year that the pageant crowns our first queen under a University title, and also the first year the pageant counts as a preliminary to the Miss South Carolina pageant.
The contestants were judged on six aspects: private interview (25 percent); lifestyle and fitness (10 percent); talent (35 percent); casual wear (10 percent); on-stage question (5 percent) and evening Wear (15percent).
Casual wear was the first round of the night.
One at a time, contestants walked across the stage wearing something that defines their character and personality in a casual setting. Items ranged from a simple pair of blue jeans to a casual pair of slacks.
The next portion of the show was the on-stage questioning. These questions were provided by staff members of the institution, placed into a bowl, and chosen at random from each contestant.
Patti McLaren, maintenance department office manager, asked, "With the changes that our nation has experienced, where do you feel the woman's role stands in our society?"
"Women can have a very important role in the home as well as in the work force," said April Williams, junior psychology. "Whatever they're called to do."
Dr. Adrian Pater, assistant professor in Christian studies, asked, "If you could change one thing at NGU, what would it be and why?"
"It's hard to encourage our athletic teams, as a cheerleader, to beat our enemies with 'Victory in Jesus' as our fight song," said Elizabeth Tate, junior business administration.
Talent competition followed the questionnaire round with some contestants playing piano, singing a song, performing interpretive dance or clogging to disco music.
Evening wear was the last portion of the pageant, and the contestants wore gowns that were fit for Cinderella's ball. Versace and Armani would've been duly impressed.
The lifestyle and fitness portion of the pageant took place earlier Saturday afternoon, which included the contestants wearing bathing suits.
At the end of the night, other than the crowning of the queen, individual awards were handed out to Mary Fordham, freshman mass communications, for the talent portion; Fordham and Jessica Snyder, senior theater, tied for the private interview award and Tate won the lifestyle and fitness competition.
"They're all winners and I believe we were very well represented by every young lady, and they were very well representing the Lord," said Dr.. Epting.
After a few piano solos by Gregory Suits, senior music composition, and some down time dialogue between Dr.. Epting and the emcee for the evening, Stacie Bartro, mid-morning on-air personality for 106.3 The Walk, the time came for the crown to be awarded.
Tate was crowned the first Miss North Greenville University, followed by Snyder as first runner-up, Melody Pinion, freshman theater, as second runner-up, Fordham at third runner-up and Whitney Ferguson, junior broadcast theater, as fourth runner-up.
"It was a very exciting night. I'm looking forward to start my year as Miss NGU. I'm very passionate about my platform, The Awareness and Prevention of Human Trafficking, and making an impact on local and state levels. Thank you for your support, and I can't wait to represent NGU at the Miss South Carolina pageant," said Tate.
"Each contestant represented themselves and our university well," said Delecta Rollins, coordinator for student activities and director for Miss North Greenville University. "I would like to thank Dr. Epting and the NGU Administration for allowing our winner to compete in the 2006 Miss South Carolina Pageant."
Students couldn't hold back their support for the event, as well as their cheers and comments throughout the evening.
"I laughed, I cried and by the end of the night I was in the presence of a Queen," said Lorne James, senior Christian studies.