Large Field of Contestants Vie for Miss UNCP Title

In her first public performance since competing for the Miss World title, Rebekah Revels will host the 2003 Miss UNCP Scholarship Pageant on January 30.

With "A Bit of Broadway" as its theme, nine contestants will compete in the pageant, which is 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 30 in the Givens Performing Arts Center. Admission is free to students, faculty and staff and $5 for the general public.

The pageant is directed by another former Miss North Carolina, Lorna McNeill. Both McNeill and Revels will give special performances.

Lorna McNeill

The title is currently held by sophomore Katherine Greer of Fuqua Varina, N.C. The winner receives a $1,000 scholarship, free room and board for the fall semester, a class ring from Jostens an oil portrait and a $1,000 wardrobe allowance to be used in her quest for the Miss North Carolina title in June.

Katherine Greer

First runner-up will receive a $300 scholarship, second runner up will receive $200 and third runner-up $100.

The contestants will compete in interview, talent, swimsuit and eveningwear categories, said Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lisa Schaeffer.

"This one of the largest and most talented groups of contestants we have ever had on our stage," Dr. Schaeffer said. "It's going to be a very exciting evening of entertainment."

The contestants are:

• Robyn Grace Baker, a freshman music education major from Northfield, N.J. Her talent is opera.
• Crystal Renee Batten, a senior elementary education major from Lumberton. Her talent is baton twirling.
• Kristen Michelle Britt, a freshman mass communications major from Lumberton. Her talent is singing.
• Selina Markeia Craig, a sophomore elementary education major from Laurinburg. Her talent is singing and playing piano.
• Heather Marie Jaques, a junior secondary math education major from Chadbourn. Here talent is clogging.
• Venessa N. Jones, a sophomore business marketing major from Fayetteville. She will recite poetry during the talent competition.
• Aja Terrell Locklear, a freshman business administration major from Maxton. Her talent is singing.
• Fallon Twilla Marquita Lord, a sophomore mass communications major from Hope Mills. Her talent is dance.
• Jessica Michelle Park, a junior music education major from Clinton. Her talent is singing.

Robyn Grace Baker		Crystal Renee Batten		Kristen Michelle Britt		Selina Markeia Craig		Heather Marie Jaques

Vanessa N. Jones		Aja Terrell Locklear		Fallon Twilla Marquita Lord		Jessica Michelle Park

Miss Revels will show off the singing talent that earned her the Miss North Carolina title and the talent competition of the Miss World Pageant in London. Among her many titles is Miss UNCP 1998 and Miss Lumbee 1996.

A St. Pauls native, Revels is a UNCP graduate with a degree in secondary English education.

Pageant choreographer again this year is Karen Gibson Jenkins of Laurinburg. She is a UNCP graduate and the1967 Miss UNCP. She is married to Dr. Charles Jenkins, a professor in the School of Education and former long-time provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.

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