by McKayla Holson, Editorial Editor
Since 1952, the Miss Cinderella pageant has been a part of Northwestern’s homecoming festivities.
According to information on Northwestern’s website, Miss Cinderella was originally called the “Queen Contest,” but the contest went through a name change in the late 1950s.
The contest was created by Glen Hendricks, Brooks Bicknell, Rufus Gordon, Art Magnuson, and Bob Reneau. The men wanted to begin the contest after they attended a parade celebration in Arkansas.
The contestants in the annual event are high school seniors from northwest Oklahoma. Girls from Kansas and Texas can also compete in the competition.
Each contestant receives a $1,900 scholarship to attend Northwestern their freshman year. The contestants compete for other scholarships also. Miss Cinderella receives a scholarship that pays for two semesters of a semi-private room and eight semesters of tuition. The runner-up receives a scholarship that pays for six semesters of tuition, in addition to other scholarships. Winners in the talent, congeniality, and interview categories also receive scholarships.
This year’s pageant
The year the pageant began, 11 girls competed in the event. This year, 18 girls are competing for the title of Miss Northwestern.
This year’s contest begins Oct. 24 with the Miss Cinderella talent show. The next day, Oct. 25, will be the actual pageant. The day of homecoming, Oct. 26, is the final day of Miss Cinderella. The final day is the homecoming parade.
The talent show and Miss Cinderella pageant will be held in the Herod Hall Auditorium.
Admission for the talent show and pageants each night is $10 for adults or $5 for students with student IDs. The purchase of a homecoming button, $10, will allow admittance to both nights.
The buttons also include other incentives.
The contestants for this year’s Miss Cinderella Pageant are: Lizbeth Avalos, Fargo-Gage; Joslyn Clem, Cherokee; Kylee Harzman, Alva; Lauren Lagos, Burlington; Emily Lintner, Mooreland; Sydnie Lookingbill, Shattuck; Malayna McKitrick, South Barber, KS; MaKenzie Miller, Woodward; Taylor Morris, Vici; Laney Neal, Timberlake; Abbie Neill, Sharon-Mutual; Addison Schanbacher, Medford; Carli Seabolt, Perry; Carleigh Stallcup, Chisholm; Rebecca Wagner, Pawnee; Victoria Watkins, Ringwood; Jadin Wilkinson, Buffalo; and Jimmi Winn, Laverne.