For 55 years, female Southeastern students have graced the stage in hopes of earning the title of Miss Southeastern. The pageant hosts a different number of competitors each year, but the goal has always been the same: to find the one who has the beauty, talent and grace to represent the university for the upcoming year.
This year, family, friends and university staff gathered at Pottle Auditorium on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. Eight contestants took the stage, but it was sophomore kinesiology major Emily Randon who stole the show, earning the title of Miss Southeastern 2015.
“This is my first pageant,” said Randon. “Overall, it taught me to be a more well-rounded individual, just like I said in my on-stage question. I not only focused on my dancing, but I also focused on my public speaking and my platform, which is skin cancer advocacy and awareness.”
Randon was also selected for her Personal Interview, which took place with the judges earlier that day. Randon took the award for the Fitness portion of the pageant, which accounts for 15 percent of the final score.
“My favorite part of the competition would definitely be the swimsuit [fitness],” said Randon. “It made me feel like a model on stage. It was really fun.”
Randon also was one of the winners in the Talent portion, which counts for 35 percent of the final score. For her talent, Randon performed a ballet piece from The Nutcracker, in which she will perform at the Columbia Theatre in December.
“I’ve danced my whole life, but I’ve never spoken on stage until tonight,” said Randon. “I’ve been dancing almost 10 years. I started at the age of 12 with ballet, which is old to start, but I actually had dreams of becoming a professional dancer, and now my dreams have changed into becoming Miss Louisiana.”
One aspect of competing in Miss Southeastern is its membership in the Miss Louisiana Organization, which requires all competitors to raise at least $100 for the Children’s Miracle Network. Junior Aurora Olvera, who is double majoring in ceramics and Spanish, was honored for going above and beyond in fundraising with a final total of $500 going to CMN.
At the end of the night, many of the contestants were awarded for their outstanding accomplishments. Freshman nursing major Jessica Thonn received academic honors for having the highest GPA, a 4.0, and most hours enrolled.
Junior communication major Dominique Brogle and sophomore communication major Nancy Peck were tied for third runner-up. Peck was also named People’s Choice.
In the talent competition, Randon was tied with junior special education major Hailee Weber, a Lionette who performed a jazz dance as her talent and took second runner-up. Sophomore communication major Scarlett Blades won the evening gown portion of the competition and was named first runner-up.
When Randon was announced Miss Southeastern 2015, she was presented with a sash, crowned by Miss Southeastern 2014 Crystal Gonzalez and handed a bouquet of a dozen golden roses.
“It felt like I was in a dream,” said Randon. “I am a little bit in shock, but I’m incredibly excited, and I have some wonderful plans for my rule as Miss Southeastern.”
Each year the winner of the Miss Southeastern pageant receives a year’s tuition, a $1,000 clothing allowance and the opportunity to compete in the Miss Louisiana competition in June. Randon is looking forward to advocating her cause, representing the university at different events and competing for the state title next year.