Contact: David West (west@alpha.nsula.edu )
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466

1/19/2001

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATCHITOCHES - The first step to the Miss America Pageant could begin at Northwestern State University Friday, Feb. 2 when nine NSU students compete for the title of Miss Northwestern - Lady of the Bracelet. The pageant begins at 7 p.m. in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium.

The pageant, sponsored by NSU's Student Activities Board, is an official Miss America preliminary pageant. The winner will compete in the Miss Louisiana Pageant this summer in Monroe. The pageant is among the top preliminary pageants in the state. Admission is $5 and free for NSU students.

Competing for the title are: Shelli Briery of Vivian, Sabrina Darbone of Lake Charles, Amaris Davidson of Leesville, Kristen Holley of Waskom, Texas, Alexis Mims of Minden, Rachael Morgan of Quitman, Amber Rhyne of Macon, Ga., Stephanie Sperry of Orange, Texas and Crystal Whitman of Shreveport. All are Northwestern students.

Briery is a journalism major specializing in broadcast journalism. She is an honor roll student and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Briery is the host of a talk show on Northwestern's cable channel, NSU 22. Her platform issue deals with acquaintance rape and how to prevent it.

Darbone is a family and consumer sciences major with a concentration in fashion merchandising. A graduate of LaGrange High School, she was named to Who's Who Among American High School Students three times. Her platform issue is prevention of school violence.

Davidson is a psychology major. A Dean's List student, she is a member of the Northwestern track team and cheerleading squad. Davidson's platform issue is a program, "YOU-NIQUE," which is designed to develop and increase self-esteem in children through mentoring.

An elementary education major, Holley is a member of Phi Mu Fraternity. A President's List student, she is a member of Kappa Delta Pi and the Order of Omega. Holley has also been a freshman connector. She is also in the University Choir and the Women's Choir. Holley's platform issue is "Self-Esteem Awareness for Youth."

Mims is a nursing major. At Minden High School, she was a member of the All-State and All-District Academic Basketball team. She was also majorette captain for two years and played clarinet. Mims was a member of several campus organizations. Her platform issue is "The Importance of Pre-Natal Care."

Morgan is an early childhood education major. She has a community assistant at the University Columns Apartments on NSU's campus. In that job, Morgan been active in community activities, leading a clothes drive and canned food drive. Morgan's platform issue is "Gun Safety Awareness."

Rhyne is a theatre major. She is a Dean's List student. A member of Phi Mu Fraternity, Rhyne is a representative at large for the Student Activities Board. She competed in last year's Miss Louisiana Pageant. Rhyne is featured twirler for the Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band and was named 2000 Miss Majorette of Louisiana. She was also advanced state solo champion. Her platform issue is "Promoting the Awareness of Domestic Violence."

Sperry is a theatre major. A Dean's List student, she has been active in performing arts productions at Northwestern including the Christmas Gala. Sperry has played clarinet for nine years and was in her high school color guard. Her platform issue is "Reach Out and Care," which encourages young people to visit and get to know the elderly.

Whitman is journalism major specializing in broadcast journalism. She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and is a co-anchor on Northwestern's cable channel, NSU 22. Whitman has been the recipient of the Gengre Speaker Award and the National English Merit Award. Her platform issue is "Ending Childhood Hunger."

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