Miss Ball State contestants spent hours preparing for the Miss Ball State pageant at a full dress rehearsal Thursday night. They spent the evening learning the opening and finale dance numbers, performing their talent selections and getting to know each other.
The next Miss BSU will be crowned in Pruis Hall Saturday. Fourteen contestants will vie for the title and compete for $3,500 in scholarships, $675 in book scholarships and other additional prizes.
Returning contestants and several first-time competitors will compete for various reasons.
"I'm doing it for the experience. Meeting the other girls and being on stage is fun," junior Dujuanna London said.
Competing for her second time, Anna Fox said she's been practicing on her talent selection and hoping to make new friends and gain more confidence.
The program is sponsored by the Ball State Student Foundation and is under the direction of Carol Kosisko, with help from graduate student Lindsey Walker.
Kosisko and Walker began preliminary planning after the 2003 pageant, but started finalizing their plans in late August.
Contestants are judged on community service, personal and professional growth, academic achievement and the spirit of competition through four phases of competition: interview, talent, swimsuit and evening gown.
There is a mix of talent this year, Kosisko said. There will be dancers, vocalists, a poetry reading, two piano players and a gymnastics routine.
"We are lucky to have this diverse talent," she said. "It makes the pageant more interesting. I'm not sure it makes the judging any easier though."
A panel of judges will conduct interviews with each contestant Saturday morning and afternoon. Interview is worth the most points. It focuses on community service and commitment to a platform issue.
Miss America adopted the platform concept in 1989. Contestants must have a platform because once the titleholder is selected, she must use her stature to address community service organizations, business and civic leaders, the media and others regarding her platform.
The judges will also score each contestant in swimsuit and evening wear presented at the contest.
Reigning Miss Ball State Lindsey Helmer will give the traditional farewell, undergo an onstage interview about winning the title, as well as provide a vocal selection. She will also assist Miss Indiana 2003 Bryn Chapman in crowning Miss Ball State 2004.
The winner will represent the university at campus and community events and at the Miss Indiana pageant in June. She will continue to work her platform across the state and wrap up her duties at Homecoming.``>,-¦,-º(?N_miss bsu_1/16/04DNEditorial,-¦,?N_miss bsu_1/16/04DNEditorial``>+â-+X.-º+â-ä>AUDT
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