Miss OSU 2020 fulfills dream with win

Monday, September 30, 2019

The Miss OSU Scholarship Competition drew a crowd of alumni, students and members of the Stillwater community to the Student Union Theater on Sept. 25. 

Graduate student Julianne Thomison of Tulsa won the title, a $1,200 scholarship and the chance to represent Oklahoma State University at the Miss Oklahoma pageant on June 1 in Tulsa. The winner of Miss Oklahoma goes on to compete in the Miss America/USA pageant.

Thomison said it has always been her dream to be Miss OSU and serve as an ambassador for the school. 

“It was such a rewarding feeling to know that in that very moment, all my hard work leading up to the competition had paid off,” she said, adding she has been involved with the Miss Oklahoma organization for the last decade. 

For each of the nine competitors, months of thoughtful preparation went into the two-hour pageant. On tap was a private interview with the judging panel, a talent competition and evening wear. The women also competed in the social impact portion, a new addition where the contestants discussed their platforms in a Q&A session. 

Cristy Morrison, one of the five judges, praised all the contestants. 

“I am overwhelmed and impressed at the manner in which these ladies represented OSU, their communities and themselves.”

Thomison’s platform is “It Can Wait,” which aims to educate drivers about the hazards of distracted driving.

“As someone who has been struck by a distracted driver, I am passionate about this issue,” she said. “As Miss OSU, I hope to make our campus roads safer through teaming up with the OSU Police Department, working with local driving schools and spreading the message that no text is worth a life.”

First runner-up Emily Rugg, second-runner up Summer Webb, third runner-up Jocelynn Poppy Johnson and fourth runner-up Ren Streeter also took home scholarships ranging from $150 to $600. 

 

STORY BY: Kylee Sutherland | Communications Intern

MEDIA CONTACT: Harrison Hill | Communication Specialist | 405-744-5872 | harrison.c.hill@okstate.edu