It's not a beauty pageant; it's a scholarship pageant.
"This is an awesome way to show powerful women," said third-year Miss Ball State Pageant contestant Lindsay Walker.
This year 31 students will be competing for more than $4,000 in scholarship money in the annual contest. The amount of scholarship money to be distributed to participants totals more than $18,000.
Contestants will be judged on four different aspects: talent, interview, swimsuit and evening wear.
"You will see a lot of talent - multi-talented vocalists, singers, pianists, dancers, twirlers and many more," said Debra Gosset, executive director of the pageant.
Interviews will take place Friday and Saturday before the actual ceremonies. Swimsuit and evening wear will be presented in Pruis Hall.
Reigning Miss Ball State, Michelle Bowyer, graduated in May. She went on to compete in the Miss Indiana Pageant in June, which feeds directly in to the Miss America competition. Although Bowyer did not place in the Top 10 at Miss Indiana, she did place in the swimsuit category, and was awarded the newcomer award.
"It was such an awesome experience, to know that I was one step away from the Miss America Pageant," Bowyer said.
Every contestant has a platform they research and support. Bowyer's platform was Multiple Sclerosis, a topic near and dear to her heart because her father has MS.
"It was kind of a way to repay my dad; I've learned a lot," Bowyer said.
The new Miss Ball State will have the responsibility to represent the university, and in some cases the community.
"She is an ambassador for the university," said Gosset.
Bowyer is currently a Pacemate for the Indianapolis Pacers and the pom coach for Ball State's Code Red Dancers.
"It's good to know that with this title, I can see my future clearer. It's helped my public-speaking skills and confidence," Bowyer said. "Regardless of what happens in my future I know I can do anything I want to."
While many of the contestants are upperclassmen, there are many returners, as well as many freshmen.
"I'm excited for the younger girls; the next few days will be very exciting," said senior Jennie Keller, a second-year contestant in the pageant.
"It's not a bunch of hateful girls," Walker said. "This is a competition against other girls, but it's more about performing your best. It's about being physically fit."
Last year Walker placed in the Top 10 and won the Beneficence award, which honors the most dedication to the pageant.
Freshman Danielle Bauman has competed in the Miss Indiana system, winning title of Miss Auburn and continuing to the Miss Northeast pageant. She will try her luck at the Miss Ball State pageant this weekend.
"It's a lot larger, and a little more difficult to organize, but I think with all the practice we've had, we've really pulled it together," Bauman said.
Faculty Adviser Larry Ottinger has been involved in pageants since 1961, starting as student director of Miss Ball State as a senior.
"I'm impressed with the girls and their talent," Ottinger said. "We've always had great success with the girls going on to Miss Indiana. We've always had good contestants, and it looks to be good this year too."
The Miss Ball State pageant begins Saturday at 7 p.m. and continues Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. Tickets are $8 per day. The event will take place in Pruis Hall.
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