Story by Lindsey Coleman, News Editor
Photos by Nick Bohannon/The News
On Saturday night, 15 outstanding young women of the Murray State student body graced the runway in Lovett Auditorium in hopes of becoming the 2018 Ms. Murray State University.
Sarah Stellhorn, senior from Union, Missouri, took home the crown, received an $850 scholarship and was awarded Most Photogenic.
Her sisters in Alpha Sigma Alpha nominated her for the competition. Stellhorn is majoring in English and history education and is the vice president of membership education in ASA. She is involved in the Honors College, the National Council of Teachers of English, Campus Outreach, Her Campus and the Journey Church.
Reigning queen Tori Wood, senior from Symsonia, Kentucky, passed the crown on to Stellhorn.
Stellhorn said participating in the competition with the other “super amazing ladies” was a wonderful experience.
“To become queen and step into the amazing shoes that Tori has left behind will be truly incredible,” Stellhorn said. “I’m so proud of all the contestants and the journey we’ve been on, and I look forward to the road to come.”
In choosing among the 15 semifinalists, the three judges considered several factors. On the morning of the pageant, the judges conducted a three minute personal interview with each contestant, and the ladies each presented a one minute speech on the topic of their choice. During the pageant in the evening, the top five finalists were chosen after the evening gown competition of the pageant. Those five finalists gave their one minute speeches for the large crowd of family and friends.
The contestants voted on the woman with the most positive and supportive attitude and awarded Barrett Blackburn with Ms. Congeniality, and the judges chose the runner up contestants:
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- Fourth Runner Up: Barrett Blackburn, junior from Eddyville, Kentucky
- Third Runner Up: Marley Joiner, junior from Hopkinsville, Kentucky
- Second Runner Up: Lauren Campbell, junior from Hopkinsville, Kentucky
- First Runner Up: Ashley Traylor, junior from Birmingham Alabama.
Correy Wadlington, Joc Ware and Leigh Carr were tasked with choosing Ms. MSU.
“I was so impressed with the roles they all participate in and their ability to manage a high academic standard,” Carr said.
The event is sponsored every year by the Student Government Association and Campus Activities Board. The ladies have been preparing for the pageant since last semester.
Julie Boeker, Ms. MSU executive director and senior from Iuka, Illinois, said each campus organization can nominate up to four women for the competition. Around 50 women attended preliminary interviews. In November, the top 15 semifinalists were chosen to participate in the Ms. MSU pageant.
In January, the practices started. The contestants practiced their speeches, interviews, the group dance and walking on stage.
“It’s been a really great experience,” Boeker said. “They’ve all done such a great job the entire time. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.”
