During a brief ceremony held in the Student Union Theater last Friday, sophomore middle school education major Jennifer Jarreau received the crown and title of Miss Southeastern 2012, replacing freshman business major Olivia Ruby.
“It feels amazing just to know that I’m representing my school and nothing can compare to it,” said Jarreau. “We’ve already started preparing for Miss Louisiana and we’re trying to get everything together. I want to do a more hard-hitting jazz routine rather than the slower one I did for Miss Southeastern. It’s an ongoing process, but it will be worth everything in the end.”
President John L. Crain, Vice President of Student Affairs Marvin Yates and Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Jim McHodgkins presented Jarreau with her crown, sash and a bouquet of golden roses. According to McHodgkins, Jarreau’s succession was the result of Ruby and the first runner up freshman vocal performance major Bethany Putnam being unable to fulfill their roles as Miss Southeastern according to their contract. He also noted that a situation like this doesn’t happen often.
“I think it has happened before, but it was years and years ago,” said McHodgkins. “That’s why there’s a first runner up and so on, just in case if something happens and they can’t fulfill their role, someone can step up.”
All contestants of the Miss Southeastern Pageant must sign a contract detailing the requirements they must fulfill as Miss Southeastern to participate. Miss Southeastern must be a full time student at Southeastern University, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5, she may not hold a preliminary Miss America title and she must compete in the Miss Louisiana Pageant.
While the circumstances of her crowning are unconventional, Jarreau is no less enthusiastic than she would have been if she received the crown through the competition.
“It is what it is and no matter, what it’s an honor to represent my school and wear the crown,” said Jarreau.
Several of Jarreau’s friends and family attended the ceremony, including her parents Bridgett and Gene Jarreau of Denham Springs.
“We’re both very proud,” Jarreau’s parents said. “We were very surprised of her going from second runner up to Miss Southeastern, but we’re very proud of her and her pride in her school.”
Ryan Pattison, a business administration junior, is a Residential Assistant (RA) in Washington Hall and knows Jarreau from working together in Student Housing.
“I’m an RA with Jennifer and the amount of hard work and dedication she puts into her school is overwhelming,” said Pattison. “She definitely deserves this title and I believe she will be successful in every endeavor she has here at Southeastern.”
Jarreau’s first official appearance as Miss Southeastern was the Champagne Bingo fundraiser on Jan. 28, the day after her crowing. Next, Jarreau will appear on her own float during the 26th annual Krewe of Omega Mardi Gras Parade on Feb. 17 at 6:30 p.m., which starts on campus and passes through Downtown Hammond.