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Annual pageant culminates in crowning of new Miss Cover Girl

 

As the lights dimmed, the sounds of Klymaxx’s, “Meeting in the Ladies Room” began to blare through the speakers in the T.H.. Harris Auditorium. Twenty-eight girls graced the stage joined by the current Miss Cover Girl Tiara Thomas, mimicking a lady checking her appearance as they began their “Ladies Night Out.”

Ciara Wilson, a sophomore from Tulsa, Okla., was crowned Miss Cover Girl 2014-2015.

“I never know what to expect in any competition. My competition for Miss Cover girl was tough. All of the ladies were extremely talented, beautiful, and intelligent. Any one of us could have been the winner. I could only concentrate on myself and bring all that I had to offer. I did my best and won,” said Wilson.

As the pageant officially began, the contestants displayed their day wear, to give the crowd an example of what they would wear while shopping for a night out of adventurous fun with their girls.

“One of my favorite contestants was Briliante’ Osborne, she has a nice body,” said Mark Foy a Junior Marketing major from Monroe, “and her bathing suit fit her well.”

Kimberly Monroe performed Whitney Houston’s “Dance With Somebody,” as an intermission for the crowd as the ladies prepared for their next act. Then the contestants took the stage to display their swimsuits to the crowd. The ladies took their time gliding around stage to show the crowd and judges their beautiful shapes and swim suits.

The Orchesis Dance Company entertained the audience by dancing to EU’s  “Da Butt,” showing the crowd what a night of fun is all about through dance.

Thomas, Miss Cover Girl 2013-2014, then took the stage as tradition, to perform her winning talent, being her last day of holding the title of Miss Cover Girl, wooing the crowd by doing the world famous Michael Jackson “moon walk,” to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies.”

It was then time for the contestants who were competing for the title of Miss Cover Girl to display their talents. Dominique Banks performed Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” on Violin, also including the New Orleans bounce version.  Next, contestant Yarica Charleston represented her school’s colors by dancing to Black and Gold. Following Charleston was Elizabeth Eddy, who moved the crowd with her talent portion by incorporating song lyrics into her spoken word piece. Contender Kadijah Jacobs also surprised the crowd with her baton routine, while twirling with fire. Next, contestant Regernique Rasco got the audience higher with God, while and final Miss Cover Girl contestant Ciara Wilson showed everyone she was multi-talented in dance by doing ballet and then hip-hop dance.

“My favorite part of the show was the talent portion,” said Ginia Smith, a junior biology major from Lafayette. “All of the talents that were showcased were phenomenal.”  

As the night began to come to an end, the contestants paraded around the stage in their long beautiful flowing gowns. After all contestants were shown, the ladies vying for Miss Cover Girl took the stage one by one. Each contestant was given a chance to present a platform of what she would do to make her campus better if given the chance to be Miss Cover Girl. Dominique Banks chose her platform to be “Getting familiar with stand your ground laws,” Yarica Charleston chose “A strive for tiger pride,” Elizabeth Eddy chose “I choose Greatness,” Kadijah Jacobs chose “Code Pink,” Regernique Rasco chose “Resorting the hope into the heart of my peers” and Ciara Wilson decided her platform would be “Know your network.” 

Before the announcement of the winners, Cliffton Boykin a psychology graduate student from Shreveport LA., and Shaquaia Jackson a freshman vocal performance major from Dallas, TX., performed Keke Wyatt’s “You and I”, which left the audience in awe.

“I really loved the performance at the end, it was so nice and their voices went so well together, great way to end the night!”said Pariz Richards a sophomore social work major from New Orleans. 

Miss Cover Girl 2013-2014 then took her final walk. While standing at the end of the stage with all lights and eyes glued to her, a voice recording played as she gave thanks. After taking her final walk, all of the contestants took the stage showing off their gowns and beautiful smiles to the crowd and judges one more time before the announcement. 

Once the judges decided on who would carry on the next 12 months, and the face of Miss Cover Girl 2014-2014 the crowed eagerly waited. Taking home best swimsuit and best interview was contestant No. 6, Miss Cover Girl 2014-2015, Ciara Wilson. Elizabeth Eddy took home first runner up and awards for Ms. Congeniality and best talent. Muridia Washinton, Miss August, took home the award for academic excellence. And Onisha Stevenson, Miss October, took home the award for best sense of style.

The Favrot Student Union Board President, Raven LeDay did greetings and the introduction of the Mistress and Master of Ceremony, Lisa Blakely and Leon Thomas. Former Miss Cover girl Tiara Thomas recited the pageants history, with Thomas following with introductions of the former Pageant winners. 

“As Miss Cover Girl, I plan to implement my platform “Know Your Network” and encourage the entire student body to be more responsible social networkers,” said Wilson. “I plan to work closely with all the calendar girls when planning events. We are going to work very hard and make this upcoming school year fun and successful.” 

Miss Cover girl was also crowned Miss Black Oklahoma 2013-14, but says this is one she felt most passionate bout, explaining how she really wanted this win. 

“Anticipating this competition actually kept me awake some nights and I really wanted it.” said Wilson.