First Oklahoma State University Miss American Indian Pageant scheduled for April 16

Thursday, April 7, 2005

The first Miss American Indian Oklahoma State University Scholarship Pageant is scheduled for Saturday, April 16, at 7 p.m. in the Wes Watkins Center for International Trade Development on the OSU campus. 

The Wes Watkins Center is located at the corner of Washington Street and Hall of Fame Avenue. Admission is $5. Tickets may be purchased in 320 Student Union or at the door before the pageant. The Native American Student Association and the Multicultural Student Center at OSU sponsor the Miss American Indian OSU Pageant.

Pageant coordinator Jessica Moore said the mission of the Miss American Indian OSU Scholarship Pageant is to further develop the leadership, confidence and creativity of American Indian students on the OSU-Stillwater campus while selecting an outstanding student to represent OSU, the Native American Student Association and its American Indian community as a role model and ambassador.

She said the pageant is not just an OSU event, but a community event. The Native American Student Association hopes to make the community more aware of Native American culture and its issues. Contestants will be judged on their knowledge of Native American issues.

The newly crowned Miss American Indian OSU will receive a $1,000 scholarship and represent OSU and the Native American Student Association at campus functions and activities across Oklahoma. She also will be responsible for coordinating next year’s scholarship pageant. The first runner-up will receive a $500 scholarship, with the second runner-up receiving a $250 scholarship. 

The three contestants are Krisha Blevins of Stillwater, Hidatsa Nation; Julie Bogart of Broken Arrow, Cherokee Nation; and Kristie LeRoy of Pawnee, Ponca, Pawnee, Iowa, Omaha Nations. They will be interviewed by judges at a reception before the pageant.  The interview accounts for 30 points. 

The contestants will present a platform issue and model traditional American Indian dress for a combined 35 points. The remaining 35 points are based on extemporaneous questioning and modeling of evening wear. The contestants must be full-time undergraduate students during their Miss American Indian OSU reign, have an overall grade point average of 2.5 or higher and be at least 18 years of age.

For more information about the pageant, call Moore or Pete Coser at 405-744-5481.