Written by: Allison Ericson

Miss VSU is far more than a pretty face and a crown; she is a VSU ambassador, scholarship winner and an active participant in Valdosta community organizations and both local and national charities.

The Miss VSU pageant was re-introduced to the university for the first time last year after a short hiatus. Last year’s pageant was a huge success with a total of 13 contestants.

Last year’s winner, Sarah Whetsell, received the title and crown, $2000 in scholarships, an additional $400 in interview and talent awards and a donation given in her name to the Children’s Miracle Network. Whetsell is a junior nursing major from Thomasville, Ga. and a representative for VSU and the Children’s Miracle Network as well as the director of VSU’s Dance Marathon.

“Contestants participate in an interview with the judges, on-stage questions, talent, evening wear and fitness in swimsuit competitions,” Alisha Stabler, Miss VSU pageant coordinator, said. “The judges look for so much more than just the outside beauty of the contestants.”

The winner of Miss VSU will work off campus promoting her chosen platform to various organizations, as well as representing VSU. This pageant is also a preliminary pageant to the Miss Georgia and Miss America pageants.

“The pageant is open to all full-time female students of VSU,” Stabler said. “There are some requirements for participating in the pageant so please fully read the contestant packet.”

This year’s pageant will be held in the Whitehead Auditorium on Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. The pageant will be sponsored and hosted by Pi Kappa Phi fraternity and co-sponsored by Student Life.

Registration packets for this year’s pageant are due by Sept. 30 at 5 p.m. to Alisha Stabler either in person in the Student Life Office or by email to apstabler@valdosta.edu.

For those interested in attending, tickets will go on sale Oct 1.

“We are also hosting the Inaugural Miss VSU Golf Tournament on Oct. 12 at Kinderlou Golf Club to raise scholarship money for the pageant,” Stabler said.

For more information contact Alisha Stabler at apstabler@valdosta.edu