Veronica Wisniewski was crowned as Miss OCU 2015 on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Wisniewski, a mass communications senior, was born in Oklahoma City but moved to Tiawan when she was eight months old. When she was six, her and her family moved back to OKC. She has competed in pageants for many years, won two Outstanding Teen titles, and competed in Miss Oklahoma for five years. The closest to she has come to winning the state-wide pageant was second runner-up.
Wisniewski said she feels a sense of responsibility on being awarded the Miss OCU title.
“Miss Oklahoma has been life changing,” Wisniewski said. “Out of all my titles, this is the best. I feel obligated to represent my school and take home the title of Miss Oklahoma.”
She plans on joining the U.S. military when she graduates, then trying to get a job at a non-profit, preferably Children’s Miracle Network, she said.
The Miss OCU pageant began in 1982 when Susan Powell, OCU alum and Miss America winner in 1981, created the program as part of the Miss America series, meaning the winner automatically moves on to the state level. The winner also receives two semesters of full tuition to OCU, a prep team and wardrobe for the Miss Oklahoma pageant, a photo session, and her picture added to the Hall of Honor in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center.
Sarah Beth White, Miss OCU 2013, emceed this year’s competition with help from Elizabeth Stolper, last year’s winner.
Out of the 15 contestants, the judges chose Wisniewski as the overall champion, as well as the winner of the lifestyle and fitness category. They gave the talent award to first runner-up Amy Leonall for her tap dance to “Boogie Shoes.” Second runner-up went to Ali Bradley, with Victoria Renard taking third, as well as the Miss Congeniality award. Fourth runner-up was Monica Thompson.
“College has always been a dream for me,” Wisniewski said. “I honestly didn’t think I was going to be able to come to OCU, so the fact that I am here is awesome. It’s been life changing.”
Darwina Marshall, director of Miss OCU pageant, is now prepping Wisniewski for the Miss Oklahoma pageant and preparing for next year’s OCU contestants.
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