Two Ball State students took the stage at Pruis Hall Saturday for a chance to compete in the Miss Indiana Pageant.
The annual Miss South Central Pageant is a preliminary competition for the Miss Indiana and Miss America pageants. Sami Rife, a fashion-merchandising major at Ball State, and Mackenzie Klahr, a news journalism-telecommunications major, performed in the event.
Klahr, a former Miss Junior Elkhart and the first runner-up in the last Miss White River, said she threw her crown in the ring because of the potential rewards.
“I wanted to go on to the Miss Indiana competition,” Klahr said. “I also wanted the scholarship money.”
The contestants participated in five sessions that included talent, swimsuit, interview, on-stage question and evening gown. Klahr said her favorite part of performing in pageants is the interview portion.
“You get a chance to show the judges who are you are on a personal level,” Klahr said. “You get to show them what you believe.”
Katelyn Marak won the 2014 Miss South Central Pageant, with Rife finishing as first runner up and Klahr finishing as the fourth runner up.