Last year, Tara Choate and her roommate agreed to compete for the crown at the Miss Ball State Scholarship Program.
Then, Choate's roommate contracted mononucleosis, and she competed without her friend in the first pageant of her life, she said, becoming the first runner-up.
A year later, the senior musical theatre major captured the 2008 Miss Ball State crown Saturday and will compete in the Miss Indiana pageant in June.
Carol Kosisko, director of Miss Ball State, said Choate's win was not a surprise, and she has always been "fantastic" about asking her what she could help make her job easier.
"I just know we are going to have a fantastic year and that she is going to be great to work with," Kosisko said about Choate's travel preparations.
The night began with the 15 contestants and Miss Indiana dancing in a choreographed routine of Fergie's "Glamorous."
The festivities continued as the pageant went into the on-stage questions, demonstrating the contestants quick wit.
As Choate walked on stage to answer her question, the small but ruckus crowd cheered and even hoisted a sign during the formal event.
"I'm in theater, so a lot of my friends love to come and support me," she said afterward.
Then, Miss Indiana Nicole Rash asked if pageants are too antiquated.
Choate said the stereotypical perception of a pageant girl isn't true and the women have "real causes to serve [their] state."
The pageant then turned toward the past as former Miss Ball States returned for the 50th Anniversary of the pageant.
In attendance was Mary Patricia Warneke, the first Miss Ball State from 1958.
"I had a hard way trying to find my way around," she said. "[The campus] has changed immensely."
As the pageant progressed, the crowd whistled and cheered as half of the contestants walked on stage in their two-piece swimsuits, while the other half performed their talents. After intermission, the contestants reversed their acts.
For her talent, Choate sang and danced to a song from "A Chorus Line."
After the remaining contestants performed their talents and walked an imaginary catwalk in swim ware, Rash performed her talent of singing the Spanish song Bandito. In her red dress, she belted out the notes in a fluid, eye-opening performance.
Rash said all of the contestants were worthy of winning Miss Ball State and she had given the contestants advice when walking them to their interviews with judges.
"It's not about what [the judges] like, it just impresses them more if you have an opinion and you stick to it," she said about how the women should stay true to their ideals.
Finally, the 15 competitors were narrowed down to 10. Then, Choate was crowned as Miss Ball State.
The crowd was ecstatic with rows of people jumping out of their seats and giving a standing ovation while Rash fastened a pin to Choate's hair.
"I'm so exited," she said. "I was first runner up last year, so I came back to try again. I'm so exited."
Miss Ball State receives:
- $1,500 Scholarship- $500 Book Scholarship- $250 Evening Gown Certificate- $200 Wardrobe Allowance- Crown and Crown Pin- Professional Photography Package- Tanning Package- Presentation Bouquet- Trophy
Miss Ball State 2008- Tara Layne Choate:
- Hometown- Evansville, IN- Year- Senior- Major- Musical Theater- Talent- A Vocal and Dance performance from "A Chorus Line."- Platform Big Brothers Big Sisters
How Scoring was Weighted:
- Individual interviews- 25 percent- On Stage Question- 5 percent- Swimsuit- 15 percent- Talent- 35 percent - Evening Gown- 20 percent
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