Miss OCU 2024, Oklahoma City University’s annual beauty pageant crowned a new winner last night in junior musical theatre major Anna Marie Wright.
The competition featured 4 onstage sections as well as an interview prior. Competitors compete in an onstage question, health and fitness wear, talent, and an evening wear section.
Nine women ranging from dance, musical theatre and mass communication majors vied for the title of Miss OCU. This title comes with entrance into the Miss Oklahoma pageant circuit and a tuition scholarship for a year, valued at roughly $30k.
The first runner up also receives a scholarship for half tuition for two semester. This year’s award was presented to Kat Sweeney, another musical theatre major. Additionally, Jenna Rilings was awarded Miss Congeniality and Michaela Childs won the People’s Choice Award.
Both Wright and Sweeney showcased their musical theatre vocals during the talent portion of the evening. Other performances included dance numbers and instrumental solos. OCU’s own Star Dance Company also performed multiple numbers throughout the evening.
The 2023 title holders for Miss OCU and Miss OCU teen performed throughout the evening as well. Evelyn Smith and Emerson Holden, respectively, bid farewell to their titles at the end of the night. They offered an inside look to their experiences and thanked those who walked with them during their journey.
The family of Evelyn Smith was presented with a copy of her portrait set to hang in the Hall of Honor outside the Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. The presentation of this portrait is a long-honored tradition to thank the families of the winner and commemorate their year.
In addition to Evelyn and Emerson’s presence, several other current and past titleholders were in attendance. These ladies included Miss Broken Arrow Teen, Miss Bricktown, and Miss Queen of the West.
Miss Queen of the West 2023 is alumni Mackenzie McIntyre, former Miss OCU 2020, and Miss OCU 2021. The Miss Queen of the West title is being discontinued meaning Mackenzie will not have the opportunity to pass down her crown, so Miss OCU allowed her a final opportunity to say thank you. Mackenzie’s vocal performance from Wicked was the final performance prior to crowning new winners.
In addition to crowning Anna Marie Wright, Hannah Miller was named Miss OCU Teen 2024. These new title holders join a long history of OCU Pageant girls, as Miss OCU has proudly produced over 40 state title holders and 3 Miss Americas.
The 2024 pageant, hosted by Miss OCU 2022 Ava Cruchon, was a beautiful celebration of the talented women here at OCU.
Keep up with Miss OCU 2024 on Instagram @missocu
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