Camryn Sanders, biomedical science junior, became Miss OCU 2017 last weekend, making her the 36th student to win the title.
Nine women competed for this year’s Miss OCU crown, earning scores for private interview, lifestyle and fitness, evening wear, onstage question, and talent.
Sanders sang The House of the Rising Sun for her talent. Her question was “How can we have separation of church and state and still protect religious beliefs?” She answered that the separation is exactly the thing that protects religion and allows people to worship freely. Sanders’s platform is “The Storybook Exchange,” a literary campaign and book donation drive.
As Miss OCU, Sanders receives a full year of tuition, valued at more than $27,000. She also will go on to represent OCU in the Miss Oklahoma pageant in June.
“It is such a blessing to have the opportunity to represent OCU for the next year,” Sanders said. “Winning what is, in my opinion, the most sought-after title in the Miss Oklahoma Organization was unexpected, but I cannot wait to give 150 percent for the next year in my preparations for Miss Oklahoma and across this campus.”
Ashleigh Robinson, music theater sophomore, won first runner-up, as well as the Miss Congeniality title. Robinson receives a semester of tuition, valued at $13,500. For her talent, she sang God Help the Outcasts from The Hunchback of Notre Dame. When asked what she would discuss if given an hour with Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, she replied that she would ask them what they could do for the country, not just herself. Robinson’s platform is “I Am Able! – Focusing on the abilities of the disabled.”
Elise O’Connell, music theater sophomore, placed first in the lifestyle and fitness category and was awarded second runner-up, with a prize of $200 in Sodexo points. Sandra Coursey, third runner-up, and Meghan Bradley, fourth runner-up, each received $100 in Sodexo points.
Megan Gold, 16, was crowned Miss OCU Teen 2017. Gold performed Dueling Banjos on the flute for her talent. Her platform is “Ending Senior Hunger.” She received a full year of tuition at OCU.
“I can’t believe some of these girls are 13 and so talented,” said Anna Nguyen, marketing senior. “When I was 13, I was eating macaroni.”
The pageant, which lasted three hours and 30 minutes, featured Miss OCU 2016 Monica Thompson and Miss OCU 2015 Veronica Wisniewski as the masters of ceremony. Contestant talents included singing, playing the piano, dancing, painting a canvas, and sewing a dress.
“The talent was so outstanding that my friend turned to me and asked how she even got into this school,” said Erik Hamilton, acting freshman.
One student said the experience was unlike anything else.
“I’ve never been to a pageant before, and this is one of the most overwhelming experiences of my life for so many reasons,” said Laura Jardine, biology junior. “And I’ve let several dozen bumblebees out of their hive into a 10-by-10-by-10-foot room before.”
Another student said she admired the contestants.
“I thought the question about church and state was handled extremely well,” said Haley Fortune, acting senior. “Also, I was a huge fan of the teen wearing high-waisted jeans in the opening number.”
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