Miss Oklahoma contestants rehearse for scholarship pageant
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8TH 2016
TULSA, Okla (KTUL). - It's pageant week for the young ladies competing to become Miss Oklahoma and Miss Oklahoma Outstanding Teen. The annual competition, held at the Mabee Center, is part of the Miss America organization.
Six Oklahomans have been crowned Miss America in the pageant's history. On Wednesday, nearly 100 young women compete for the state title of their age division before representing at nationals.
For the contestants, there is a lot to learn during rehearsal to better prepare for the show. These preparations include walking, dance routines, smiling and knowing cues.
"Hair! I didn't realize how much goes into doing your hair. As an athlete my entire life, I've always just thrown it up in a bun or ponytail. And I've realized I don't know how to curl my hair," said first time Miss contestant, Triana Browne. Browne recently graduated from Oklahoma State University and was a student-athlete for track and field. She will be training for professional track and field after pageant season.
Hair and dance moves aren't all the things judges are looking for in the next queen. 50 Miss contestants also compete in talent, gown, swimwear and interview.
"Interview is such a vital part of that whole process. And our judges really need to make sure that the girl is comfortable with public speaking and she's well-versed in all the issues and she knows exactly who she is," said first time Miss contestant Sarah Harris. Harris graduated from the University of Oklahoma as a baton twirler. She also won the pageant's preliminary talent competition.
Only one will be crowned queen, but everyone on stage will have an opportunity to go to college through this program. Directors said more than $2 million in scholarships are available at state universities.
"Our donations are up this year with the economy the way it is in Oklahoma, it's because Oklahoman's believe in this program," said program director Jack Cooper.
Cooper further explained more than $100,000 in cash scholarships will be awarded to contestants throughout the competition.
While one queen will soon start her new reign, another is coming to an end. Georgia Frazier, Miss Oklahoma 2015, said she traveled the state making appearances in front of thousands of people while queen. Fraizer was a semi-finalist at Miss America in Atlantic City. She said it was an experience she will never forget.
"Walking on stage, hearing the music, seeing my parents and all of the Oklahoma, we had over 90 people that came to Atlantic City to support me. And just seeing all that, that was just a really surreal moment that I wish I could replay over and over and over," said Frazier.
Directors said the organization is all about eliminating stigmas and grooming future leaders. One reason Browne said she wanted to compete.
"If you're passionate about something you'll put in the work. And as a minority, you have to have positive self-talk. You have to be able to stand up there and say 'I'm proud of who I am, I'm proud of what I've done," said Browne.
Wednesday's preliminary events will be held at the Mabee Center starting at 7:30 p.m. The final crowning will be Saturday.
http://ktul.com/news/local/miss-oklahoma-contestants-rehearse-for-scholarship-pageant
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