Miss University of Southern Mississippi Pageant Oct. 11 on Hattiesburg Campus

The 70^th annual Miss University of Southern Mississippi Pageant will feature 14 students competing for the event title at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11 in Bennett Auditorium on the Hattiesburg campus. General admission is $7 and $5 for students.

The event, hosted and produced by the Southern Miss Student Government Association, is a preliminary to the Miss Mississippi Pageant. Participants also compete for valuable scholarship funds.

Contestants include:

*Beverly Annette Andrews, a sophomore from Pensacola, Fla. Andrews is a criminal justice major and journalism minor. She is a member of the international team at the Baptist Student Union, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and the Afro-American Student Organization. Her platform is MADD: raising awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence. She is the daughter of Thomas G. and Linda F. Andrews.

*Kimberly Brooke Boisseau, a sophomore from New Albany, Miss. Boisseau is an international studies and French double major and a religions minor. She is a member of the Southern Miss cheerleading squad, Alpha Chi Omega sorority, and a conversation partner with the English Learning Institute. Her platform is fundraising for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. She is the daughter of Angela Allred Boisseau.

*Kacey Renee Breaux, a junior from Kenner, La. Breaux is a nursing major. She is a Student Activities Ambassador, director of Homecoming Court, and member of the Phi Mu sorority. Her platform is Inclusion, not Exclusion: embracing those with disabilities. She is the daughter of Gregory and Donna Breaux.

*Amy Lee Brogan, a senior from Poplarville, Miss. Brogan is a sociology major and philosophy and nonprofit studies double minor. She is a Leadership scholar, member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and president of the local chapter of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Her platform is Community Development through the creation of successful, local businesses. She is the daughter of Tommy and Susan Brogan.

*Shelby Nicole Cook, a junior from McComb, Miss. Cook is a speech language pathology major. She is a Luckday scholar and a member of the Southern Miss College Republicans and Southern Miss NSSLHA Club. Her platform is The Campaign for Disability Employment: promotion in the workplace of the talents and values of those who are disabled. She is the daughter of Robbie Cook and Loran Gerald.

*Bethany Noelle Cuevas, a junior from Long Beach, Miss. Cuevas is an elementary education major and English minor. She is a member of the Southern Connection Student Leadership Team, a student government representative for the College of Education and Psychology, and the Student Council Spirit coordinator. Her platform is Volunteerism: Every Hour Counts. She is the daughter of Carl Cuevas and Melissa Taylor.

*Kristin Angell' Dupard, a junior from New Orleans, La. Dupard is a biochemistry major and broadcast journalism and biology double minor. She is a Luckday scholar, Student Government Association Senator, and voice of the WUSM Health Segment. Her platform is Empower the Vote, Save the Vote: getting young people empowered and registered to vote. She is the daughter of Kenneth and Angela Dupard.

*Rebecca Farnell, a junior from Spanish Fort, Ala. Farnell is an advertising major and English minor. She is a member of Chi Omega sorority, an Eagle Ambassador and a public relations chair for United Way. Her platform is Helping Hometown Hospitals: raising funds and awareness for children's hospitals. She is the daughter of Ray and Mary Farnell.

*Lauren Lott, a junior from Beaumont, Miss. Lott is a speech language pathology and audiology major. She is a member of the Delta Gamma sorority, Alpha Lambda Delta honor society, and the USM Honors College. Her platform is Fight for Sight: aiding the visually impaired and educating others about visual impairments. She is the daughter of Timothy and Teresa Lott.

*Joni Lucas, a freshman from Pascagoula, Miss. Lucas is a criminal justice major. She is the secretary of the Southern Miss Sociology club and is actively involved in her community. Her platform is Love Knows No Boundaries: raising awareness about adoption. She is the daughter of John and Cynthia Lucas.

*Jericka Mayers, a sophomore from Forest, Miss. Mayers is a nursing major. She is a member of the USM Legacy, Student Eagle Club, and Lambda Sigma Honor Society. Her platform is It's Not Just CRAZY!: raising awareness about mental illness in our society. She is the daughter of Ricky and Tracia Mayers.

*Michaela Claire Moore, a junior from Biloxi, Miss. Moore is a vocal performance major and communications minor. She is a member of USM's Southern chorale, Delta Gamma sorority, and has performed in numerous theatrical productions such as Hairspray. Her platform is Reaching Youth Through Performing Arts: funding arts programs and encouraging character development through the arts. She is the daughter of Don and Twyla Moore.

*Anna Taggart, a junior from Raymond, Miss. Taggart is an elementary education major. She is a community service coordinator for her church's youth group and a member of the Baptist Student Union and Reformed University Fellowship. Her platform is Hands to Hold: raising awareness about adoption and foster homes. She is the daughter of Stacy and Dawn Taggart.  

*Hannah Roberts, a senior from Mount Olive, Miss. Roberts is a biochemistry major. She is a member of the Kappa Delta sorority, the American Chemical Society, and Campus Crusade. Her platform is Pages of Love: the encouragement of literacy through the donation of books. She is the daughter of James and Danna Roberts.

For more information, contact the Southern Miss Student Government Association at 601.266.4407; or the Dean of Students Office at 601.266.6028.