Flowers is the new millenium's Miss University

Erin Lynn Olsen
dm Staff writer

On Thursday evening, Megan Flowers was crowned Miss University 2000.

First runner up was Ashley Gibbons; second runner up was Jamie Wicker; third alternate was Juana Chatman; and fourth alternate was Karyn Lemieux. Miss Congeniality was given to Tamba Humphrey, and the Director's Award was given to Latisha Pollard.

Megan Flowers and Ashley Gibbons tied for the talent award. Flowers' talent was playing the harp, while Gibbons' talent was playing classical piano. Flowers also won the swimsuit competition. This was the first year that the swimsuit competition was in the Miss University Pageant.

"This is one of the greatest honors I could have received while a student at Ole Miss. I hope that this title will open many doors across this campus and throughout this state to share my message of hope and deliverance from anorexia. Thank you," said Flowers.

The contestants competed in the following four categories: talent (40 percent), interview (30 percent), swimsuit (15 percent), and evening gown (15 percent). The pageant's four judges had all judged many other pageants over the years.

The other three pageant participants were Danna Dye, Marley Hogan and April McKissack.

The pageant was emceed by last year's Miss University Mysti Futral, and Miss Mississippi Heather Soriano provided special entertainment for the audience.

"Being Miss Mississippi has been a wonderful experience, but it's always nice to be able to come back to Ole Miss," says Heather Soriano. "This is one of the few times I've been on campus all year, and it helped to make tonight very special."

This year's pageant marked the forty-ninth anniversary of the Miss University Pageant at Ole Miss. In those 49 years, 22 Miss University winners went on to win the crown of Miss Mississippi. Ole Miss has had three winners of the Miss University Pageant acquire the prestigious title of Miss America.