Last year’s Miss Maroon and White Lauren Cobb passed on her crown to junior communication major Kalea Henry Thursday night in Lee Hall Auditorium. Henry was one of 43 women to compete for the coveted title. Runners-up, listed from first to fourth, were sophomore communication major Joy Powell, freshman geosciences major Anne Elise Parks, senior human sciences major Sara Powers and sophomore communication major Natalie Bullard.
The reigning Miss MSU, Corie Stanford, was in attendance at the pageant and served as an emcee.
Special entertainment included the 2008 MSU Idol Sarah Pope and various acts from Dancing Feet Academy.
Cobb, a junior international business major, led the onstage questions portion of the competition between the top 15 girls.
While Cobb admitted the opportunity for the contestants to dress up in formal gowns is one of her favorite parts of the pageant, she said the friendships that develop are the best.
“A lot of times they’re not in clubs together and the night of the pageant they get to meet new people, which is cool because you grow from relationships that you make by doing different things,” she said.
Patrick Young, student director of the Mississippi State University Campus Activities Board, said the pageant was created as a fundraiser for events like the Old Main Music Festival.
In previous years the event has been held in Humphrey Coliseum.
Young said Miss Maroon and White will act as a spokeswoman for the school, making various appearances and signing autographs.
“Miss Maroon and White represents the ideal female at this university,” he said. “These women are well-spoken, educated and come from various backgrounds.”
He said this year the judges were not looking for the stereotypical beauty queen but for a more modern-day woman.
“They wanted a real woman of State’s kind who is getting her degree and willing to do whatever it takes to be successful,” Young said.
Henry said her career goal is to work for a major sports network, and she is already taking steps to accomplish her dreams.
“Currently, I intern with the Athletic Media Relations department here at Mississippi State, and through that I have been able to meet and learn from many people,” she said.
Henry said her favorite part of the competition was the interview portion.
“Not only do I feel it helps better prepare me for potential interviews in my future, but it also gives each contestant the opportunity to present her individuality,” she said.
Henry said that winning the pageant was an unforgettable event.
“It’s a tremendous honor and something I will always treasure when reflecting back on my time at Mississippi State,” she said.
The winner for “Most Photogenic” was senior broadcast major Chelsea Penson. Biological science major Sharde Marks was named “Spirit of Miss Maroon and White,” an award given to the woman who sells the most program advertisements.