Vanguard

Issue date: 10/29/07 Section: News

Jessica McCray was crowned Miss University of South Alabama 2008 Oct. 27 at the USA Mitchell Center.
Miss USA is a scholarship program that offers more than $4,000 in scholarship money and leads to competing for Miss Alabama and possibly to Miss America.
The theme for this year's competition was "Look at Me Now." There were 12 contestants competing this year. They are Amy Robertson, Andrea Crumb, Chasity Woodard, Hannah Etheridge, Dwyanetta Thomas, Chelsea Dean, Holly Peek, Jessica McCray, Kristen Coker, Lauren Carpenter, Markita Jones and Mary Hamarneh.
Each girl were judged on interview, which was not included in the pageant, swimsuit, talent, evening wear and onstage question and answer, which was given by Dr. David Stearns, director of the Miss USA pageant and associate vice president of enrollment services.
McCray won $1,500 for placing first and $100 in the talent competition. McCray performed a lyrical dance for her talent as she gracefully made her jumps and leaps across the stage.
McCray, 19, is a sophomore from Mt. Vernon, Ala., and is studying pre-professional studies. Her proud parents are Lloyd and Edith Witherspoon and her platform is "Project A.G.E.E."
This was McCray's first time competing. "I got involved with the Miss USA pageant after attending last year to support a dance team member, which made me realize how much I wanted to participate the next year," McCray said.
Pi Kappa Phi sponsored the Miss USA pageant. They began the program 25 years ago to help raise funds and awareness for their project PUSH America. This program is to help instill lifelong service in its members and enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities. They celebrated their 25th anniversary by giving Dr. Stearns and his wife Leigh a plaque signed by all the members of Pi Kappa Phi and the ladies competing in Miss USA.
Charissa Cowart from Fox 10 News hosted the pageant. In her shimmering silver dress, she introduced past winners of Miss USA beginning in 1982 in between segments of the show.
After the girls fiercely competed in each category and waiting on the tallying of the results, Morgan Ellis, Miss USA 2007 winner, appeared on stage in a sparkling assemble and sung a jazzy song that she used to compete in the talent part at 2007's Miss Alabama competition. She also performed a dance routine, along with UMS elementary student Kendall, a number from the Disney movie "High School Musical."
After Ellis, Cowart and Dr. Stearns wittedly kept the audience entertained, the results were in. Awards were the first to be given. Chelsea Dean won the $100 spirit award. Holly Peek won $100 in the lifestyles and fitness portion of the competition and $200 in academics. Hannah Etheridge won first in the talent area with $100 and Jessica McCray won second of the talent. Etheridge sung a Mariah Carey piece titled "Hero."
Dwyanetta Thomas won $100 for her platform "Greater Service, Greater Progress." Thomas is 21 and studying physical education at USA. She performed a martial arts routine.
The fourth runner-up for the Miss USA title was Amy Robertson winning $450 in scholarship money. Robertson's talent portrayed a character in a comical Brooklyn accent singing a song about having a cold. She wore a hot pink boa with a white flowing dress and shoes to match her boa.
Third runner-up was Hannah Etheridge and won $550 in scholarship money. Etheridge is 19 from Thomasville, Ala., and is studying physical therapy. Her platform was "Encouraging Philanthropic Activity Among Teens."
Winning $650 in scholarship money and second runner-up was Chelsea Dean. Dean is from Spartanburg, S.C., and performed a vocal selection "Reflection" from the Disney movie "Mulan" singing most of it in Spanish. The first runner-up and winner of $750 was Holly Peek. Peek is a senior from Niceville, Fla., and this was her fourth year running for Miss USA. Her talent for this year's competition was a performance of "Malaguena" on the Marimba accompanied by the piano.
Miss USA 2007's winner Morgan Ellis crowned McCray Miss USA 2008.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools