By JASMINE BOWEN, Student Reporter
The Miss Northwestern and the Miss Northwestern Outstanding Teen competitions will take place at 4 p.m. in Herod Hall on Sunday.
Miss Oklahoma 2018 Ashley Thompson Baldwin will serve as the emcee for the events.
Nine young women are in the Miss Northwestern pageant this year, Northwestern officials said in a news release.
Competing for the title are: Brianna Berryman, senior biology health science option major from Guthrie; Laura Blair, junior psychology major from Waynoka; Sydnie Lookingbill, sophomore early childhood education major from Shattuck; Mattie Pitts, freshman elementary education major from Waynoka; Carli Seabolt, sophomore business major from Perry; Cora Beth Taylor, freshman biology major from Kingfisher; Morgan Villarreal, senior early childhood education major from Burns Flat; Rebecca Wagner, sophomore biology major from Pawnee; and Taylor Winn, freshman biology major from Mooreland.
Paige Fischer, executive director of the pageant, said it is an opportunity for young women to earn scholarships.
Candidates for Miss Northwestern will be judged on their talent, among other topics. Candidates will participate in an interview, and they will discuss social issues they are passionate about.
“These ladies do make a huge difference in the community,” Fischer said. “There’s so many different events and businesses that they work directly with to help promote their social impact. It’s just an awesome resume builder for them, as well as a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
The teen competition is open to young women between the ages of 13 and 18 from across the state.
Olivia Yandel, who directs the teen pageant, said the event is a way for contestants to see the Northwestern campus and get to know people. It’s also an opportunity for the contestants to practice their interview skills and build confidence.
“I just think it’s a really empowering opportunity for young girls to get involved in,” Yandel said.
Thompson Baldwin is the cousin of the reigning Miss Northwestern’s Outstanding Teen, Libby Williams, who was Thompson Baldwin’s Miss Oklahoma Star for several years, university officials said in a news release.
-Tickets are available in the business office or from candidates. General admission is $8 in advance or $10 at the door and $3 for students with ID. Tickets also are available from Fischer, at (580) 327-8533 or plfischer@nwosu.edu or Yandel at (580) 327-8109 or oayandel@nwosu.edu.
