TONY VALENTINO/The Yearbook
Taylor Stewart is all smiles after being crowned
Miss Cover Girl for 2016-17.
The 48th Annual Miss Calendar Girl Pageant has arrived and the competition surely had a “New York State of Mind.”
Due to inclement weather, the pageant was delayed a few days, but that was no challenge for this year’s contestants.
The show kicked off with a dance routine from all the contestants, and they had the crowd in awe.
This year’s contestants were judged on daywear, swimwear, evening wear, and only the Cover Girl nominees presented a talent for the judges.
As the show proceeded, the contestants took the stage to show off their poise and express themselves to the best of their ability. As the talent portion began, the Cover Girl contestants showed their creativity through dances, poems, singing, and playing instruments.
The Calendar Girl winners are Kattera Dooley, Miss September; Breona Hall, Miss October; Charisma Green, Miss November; Lanita Hughes, Miss December; Stasha Burris, Miss January; La’Brittany Beene, Miss February; Aviana Cornelius, Miss March; Jordan Bailey, Miss April; Mecca Muhammad, Miss May; Zaire Sayers, Miss June; Riki Burroughs, Miss July; and Ashely Brown, Miss August.
As 2015-16 Miss Cover Girl Joi’Lavia Porter did her farewell walk, she expressed her gratitude for the experience she endured. She also praised those who believed in her and suggested other girls find confidence to express themselves.
The 48th Annual Miss Cover Girl, Taylor Stewart of Columbia, Maryland, was crowned. First runner-up was Jamika Jones from St. Andrews, Jamaica, and second runner-up was Zia Gordon from Monroe, Louisiana.
The new Miss Cover Girl talked about why she ran. “The pageant allows the young ladies of GSU to break out of their shells and have a good time. I wanted to use my platform to make a positive impact on the university.
“I also wanted to do something out my comfort zone and broaden my horizon and I had such a fun time preparing,” Stewart said.
Winners in the Calendar Girl Pageant held Tuesday in T.H. Harris Auditorium.
Shortly after the pageant, a reception was held in the Black and Gold Room to honor the candidates and winners of this year’s pageant. Each winner will have the opportunity to sponsor a social affair each month.
The first Calendar Girl Pageant was presented on March 24, 1969, which originally was a two-night event. The concept was to choose 12 girls to represent each month in the calendar and, of course, a Cover Girl. Over the years, changes have been made such as the talent, entertainment, and scholarships awarded to the winners.