When Irvin Berlin wrote "A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody," he must have been writing about Nicole Rash, who sang her way to the top of the Miss Ball State University Scholarship Pageant.
While trying to mask nervous stutters and fluidly answer impromptu questions, 23 contestants competed for the title of Miss Ball State University 2007.
"I am so honored for winning this," Rash said. "I am just grateful to get the chance to go back to Miss Indiana and compete again and be with all of those wonderful girls and represent my university."
Winners of the Miss Ball State Pageant are required to compete in the Miss Indiana Pageant in June. Rash qualified for the Miss Indiana competition on her own in 2006.
Rash initially greeted the audience with a Spanish phrase to indicate her platform, which was "'Get on the L-Bus' to Break Language Barriers in the U.S." Each contestant was required to choose a platform or cause they personally felt strongly about.
The talent competition is a highlight of any pageant. Stage presence, poise, talent and good interviews are the qualities judges look for in a potential winner. In the talent contest, Rash sang Faith Hill's "There You'll Be." Her mature, strong voice was well-received by the audience. This year's talent show was like a combination of "American Idol" and a high school recital: Some performers were very talented and well-rehearsed, while others needed Simon Cowell to teach them a few things about performing.
One performer whose abilities made her appear Broadway-bound was Tara Choate, who is a junior musical theater major. She was the perfect embodiment of Danity Kane's hit single "Showstopper." Master of Ceremonies Al Rent paused the show to comment on the ongoing roars from her cheering fans after she performed the song and dance number "Music in the Mirror" from the Broadway musical "A Chorus Line." Her abilities won her the talent portion of the pageant and first runner-up for Miss Ball State.
Choate said although she has a strong performance background, she did not know she would take the talent prize.
Other performers were not as polished as Choate but decided to fake it until they made it. Cardinal Spirit award-winner Rhiannon Cizon used her charm and personality to make her way into the audience's hearts. Inspired by performances she saw on YouTube, she mimicked a medley of silly dances, including the "Electric Slide," to win the crowd over.
Though she admitted she was not the typical pageant type, Cizon used her wit and knowledge of her platform during the interview portion of the show to stand out from the other beauties.
Another interesting contestant was the quirky Kerry Crawford. Crawford won the People's Choice Award and said her entrance into the competition was a journalistic endeavor. She documented her experiences in the pageant for publication in Ball Bearings at ballbearingsonline.com. Ball Bearings is a media partner of the Daily News.
"I did a lot of soul-searching to be able to do it," Crawford said. "Once I signed up, I was like, 'Oh crap.'"
26 competitors were signed up to compete for the title, including two girls in the teen division.
Miss Ball State 2005 Tiffany Schroer, Claire Buffie, fourth runner-up for Miss Ball State 2006 and Kim Darling were registered but did not compete.
Buffie said she wanted to compete but withdrew on Friday because she felt ill. She showed up to support her friend, Choate, and celebrate Choate's success in the competition.
"I was actually the reason Tara did this show and unfortunately, I had to withdraw," Buffie said.
Buffie did not have the physical stamina to last through such a long day, she said.
The competition lasted almost four hours. Because of dim lighting and slow music, audience members became restless during the competition. Some audience members said the competition lacked the excitement and energy necessary to make it a quick watch but was rewarding when the lights came on and the winners were announced.
RESULTS:Miss Ball State University- Nicole Rash1st Runner-Up- Tara Choate2nd Runner-Up- Tara Presley3rd Runner-Up- Pamela Gardner4th Runner-Up- Katie Hrynewycz
Beneficence Award- Pamela GardnerPeople's Choice Award- Kerry CrawfordCardinal Spirit Award- Rhiannon CizonLifestyle Fitness/Swimsuit Award- Nicole RashEvening Wear Award- Nicole RashTalent Award- Tara ChoateInterview Award- Nicole Rash
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