Kariean Patterson became the first woman to earn the title of Miss Maroon and White in last Thursday night’s pageant.
Formerly known as Miss Reveille, the Miss Maroon and White pageant featured 77 women from Mississippi State University. The pageant’s name was changed when the Campus Activities Board took it over from the Reveille.
The 2003-2004 Miss Maroon and White Beauties were Ashley Kuhn, Stephanie Olmstead, Darby Pettigrew and Mallory Tarbutton. Patterson also won the title of Miss Photogenic, while the Spirit of Miss Maroon and White award went to Stephanie Pearson. These categories were added to the pageant this year.
The top 10 contestants were Kim Blackwell, Taryn Foshee, Emily Gladney, Tara Hughes, Ashley Kuhn, Alexis Ocampo, Stephanie Olmstead, Kariean Patterson, Darby Pettigrew and Mallory Tarbutton.
When asked how she felt about winning the title, Patterson said, “I’m thankful! I want to thank the Lord for bringing me this far.” Patterson was sponsored by the MSU Fashion Board, Dr. and Mrs. Phil Bushby and the Patterson family.
“Last year the Reveille did the beauty review for MSU and they decided not to do it again this year,” explained Mary Clare Ehrhardt, CAB student director. “CAB saw this as a great opportunity to have a chance to put this pageant on. We were ready and eager to jump on that opportunity.”
The girls were judged on interview skills, beauty and poise. The Miss Photogenic category was based on the girls’ picture in the program. The Spirit of Miss Maroon and White was given to the girl who sold the most advertisements for the program.
“I think the pageant truly represented the best of MSU students,” said program emcee Bryan Nesbit. “I truly believe every one of the contestants is worthy of the title of Miss Maroon and White.”
Along with the addition of two new categories, CAB made a few other changes in the pageant. The winner was given a crown this year and because the girls each sold advertisements for the program, every audience member received a complimentary program, Ehrhardt explained.
“The pageant was still run the same way, as far as the breakdown; we had the Top 40, then Top 20, then 10 and so on,” she said.
Nesbit, associate director of enrollment services, was joined as emcee by 2003 Miss Mississippi Allison Kellogg. Emily Davis, 2002 Miss Reveille, also helped emcee the pageant.
The pageant was judged by Nadriene Jackson, Julia Lake, Wayne Sutter, Judd Trimble, and Kathy Foster, all of whom have had much pageant experience, both as judges and behind the scenes.