By Caitlin Hofen, Feature Editor
A business major represented Northwestern at the Miss Oklahoma pageant this summer.
Perry native Carli Seabolt competed in the Miss Oklahoma pageant as Miss Northwestern from June 6 to June 11 at the River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa.
“It was definitely a marathon,” Seabolt said. “But it was so much fun.”
Seabolt was crowned Miss Northwestern in fall 2021, but this wasn’t her first time competing in the Miss America organization.
“I was also Miss Northwestern Outstanding Teen in 2018,” Seabolt said. “This was my first time competing for Miss Oklahoma, but I competed for Miss Oklahoma Outstanding Teen two times before.”
As a fourth- generation Ranger, Seabolt said she felt supported by the community.
“Alva and Northwestern do a great job of making their Miss Northwestern feel like a celebrity and famous,” Seabolt said. “They spoil their girl. It was so cool to see Alva and Northwestern in a different light with my title. I’ve really enjoyed my year as Miss Northwestern.”
A week-long event, the Miss Oklahoma pageant started rehearsals for the contestants to prepare for the upcoming competition.
“Miss Oklahoma is a production, for sure,” Seabolt said. “We had opening number dances, and I am a singer — not a dancer at all — so it was a little bit of a struggle in the beginning. Our first couple of days were spent practicing on the stage. It was cool to perform on such a large stage, though it was a little intimidating at first. However, I had the best support system to hype me up.”
Seabolt was interviewed by a panel of judges, performed her talent, showcased her evening gown and pitched her social initiative, “Up In Smoke.”
“I chose my social initiative because my grandpa passed away from lung cancer because he smoked for so many years,” Seabolt said. “Vapes are also extremely common among young people, and I saw so many of my friends become addicted to them.”
Seabolt partnered with Truth Initiative, America’s largest nonprofit public health organization that is dedicated to creating a future where people say “no” to nicotine and tobacco. Seabolt organized a mascaraed ball fundraiser at Northwestern and raised $1,000 for Truth Initiative.
STICKING WITH IT
While preparing for Miss Oklahoma, Seabolt ran into some challenges.
“My biggest struggle was being a full-time student, working two jobs and preparing for the competition,” Seabolt said. “Balancing my time was challenging at first. Once I got through finals week in May, I hit interview prep head-on. Many people at Northwestern volunteered their time to help me feel prepared. I drove to Tulsa every other week for voice lessons.
“I sang ‘Rolling in the Deep’ by Adele for my talent, but it was a little bit different rendition. Rolling in the deep means you stick with someone through the ups and downs. I found that really fitting whenever I paired it with my social impact.”
With so much work packed into a small time frame, Seabolt described her week at the Miss Oklahoma pageant as a blur.
“They have us get up super early and go through rehearsal after rehearsal, but it’s so much fun with the other girls,” Seabolt said. “I built so many friendships in such a short time. There were so many little moments I loved.
“We took a spontaneous trip to Starbucks, and the barista gave all of us our drinks on the house. She said, ‘Good luck. One of you will be the next Miss Oklahoma.’ It was a sweet moment and one of my favorites.”
Seabolt offered advice for the contestants of the upcoming Miss Northwestern pageant.
“Be the most authentic version of you,” Seabolt said. “When it comes down to it, the judges are going to look for someone who is comfortable in their skin and who they are.
“For the future Miss Northwestern, journal everything. That is something I wish I would’ve done throughout the year. The year as Miss Northwestern really flies by, and journaling will help you remember everything you experienced later.”
The 2023 Miss Northwestern pageant will be Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. in Herod Hall.