North Greenville announces Miss NGU 2017
Carrie Henderson, Assistant Editor
Miss NGU 2016 Crystal Potter crowns Miss NGU 2017 Valerie Bostick. Photo Credit: Carrie Henderson
Singing, drumming and flute playing were just some of the talents showcased in the 2017 Miss North Greenville University Pageant. However, the night wasn’t just about talent.
Eight young women — Celina Schwarz, Tysonna Hutchingson, Sommer Cagle, Ashley Campbell, Valerie Bostick, Rebecca Pack, Rachel Huber and Kaitlyn Shumate — competed on-stage for the title of Miss NGU 2017. Master of Ceremony Timm Artus, with the help of Miss NGU 2016 Crystal Potter, kept the audience entertained during waiting periods with banter and even some impressions, such as Potter’s impression of Yzma from “The Emperor’s New Groove.”
The night ended with the crowning of Valerie Bostick as Miss NGU 2017.
Bostick said that as Miss NGU, she is excited about representing the university, going into elementary schools and reading to the children, spreading the love of Jesus and sharing her platform.
The pageant was split up into three stages: physical fitness, talent and evening gown with onstage questioning.
Hutchingson led the talent section with a poem, “You Have to be Deaf to Understand” by Willard J. Madsen, reciting it with both her voice and hands using sign language. A few of the contestants sang: Schwarz with Lea Solonga’s “Someone Like You,” Caigle with “All I Ask of You” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom of the Opera” and Pack with Nat King Cole’s “Orange Colored Sky.” Campbell played flute and Bostick preformed a drum routine. Huber exhibited her talent with batons. Ending the talent section, Shumate sang Miranda Lambert’s “The House That Built Me” while playing piano.
However, the night wasn’t just about the women’s talents. During the evening gown/questioning stage, the contestants were given an on-stage question about their chosen platforms, ranging from the importance of American Sign Language classes in high schools (Hutchingson), foster care (Caigle) and strategies for a productive day (Bostick).
Several former Miss NGU’s in attendance were acknowledged: Kelly Soule (1988), Julie Styles (1989), Sarah Dopson (2011), Meredith Lewellen (2013) and Crystal Potter (2016).
The night ended with the announcement of the winners of the different awards:
- Miss Congeniality: tie between Valerie Bostick and Ashley Campbell
- Community Support: Tysonna Hutchingson
- Miss Photogenic: Kaitlyn Shumate
- Fitness: Valerie Bostick
- Talent: Rachel Huber
Runners-up for Miss NGU:
- Forth runner-up: Ashley Campbell
- Third runner-up: Rachel Huber
- Second runner-up: Celina Schwartz
- First runner-up: Sommer Caigle
