Anna Baynham
MC301 Contributor
Formatting changes to the Miss JSU Pageant were well received by those in attendance on April 3rd for the first look at who could potentially become the 2014-2015 representative of JSU.
Modeled after the Miss Mississippi Pageant, the changes to the event included an opening number with all contestants, an outgoing tribute to the current campus queen, and a diverse group of judges.
Immediately after the opening number, the contestants: Jennifer B. Cotten, a marketing major from Madison, Miss., Anissa C. Butler, a chemistry major from Terry, Miss., Ebonee S. Swilley, a business finance major from Madison, Miss. and Jade B. King, a biology/pre-medicine major from Detroit, Mich., participated in a question and answer segment.
The contestants were judged on overall stage presence, personality, the ability to express themselves, confidence, and their potential as a spokesperson for the university.
“This year’s pageant was very different. I loved the beginning when the ladies all had on their white suits. It was something like out of a Miss American Pageant,” said Samantha Grant, a junior elementary education major from Terry, Miss.
Phase two, Tiger Pride Competition, showcased the contestant’s creativity and sense of style, with school spirited apparel that showed how the candidate would represent JSU on a casual day. This segment also coincided with the pageant’s theme: Blue, White and Tiger Striped.
Vivian Dotson, former Miss Jackson State University 1965-1966 said, “The pageant was just lovely.”
Phase three of the pageant, the talent competition, showcased the candidates’ interpretative ability, creative expression, and stage presence.
“I thought this year’s pageant was very professionally done, several notches up from my past years of attending. Class, poise, and grace were displayed from all four contestants,” said William Jenkins, a senior mass communications major from Ala.
The final phase was the evening wear competition. The gowns were judged on taste, style, color and design. The contestants were judged on overall first impression, consideration of total look, beauty, sense of confidence, stage presence, walk, posture, carriage, grace, style and personality.
After the judge’s votes were tallied, the final three candidates to move forward in the run for Miss JSU were announced; Swilley, Butler, and Cotten.
When asked what the first thing she would do if elected as Miss JSU, Swilley said, “The broader plan is to not leave a tangible legacy but a mental one and that is to teach my campus community as well as the surrounding community to always DREAM big, for the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Cotten expressed what becoming Miss JSU would mean to her.
“Becoming Miss JSU would mean the world to me. Not only would I have won, my whole team will win as well. It takes more than one person to work together to get results,” said Cotten.
When asked what were her plans with title of Miss JSU if elected, Butler said, “If elected Miss JSU, I plan to implement my platform A.I.M. My primary focus is to help more Jacksonians graduate and get a job using their degree.”
Miss JSU Pagent (YouTube VIDEO): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sh6nA132cRs
