Chasity Chavis was crowned Miss UNCP 2011 on February 3 before a large and appreciative audience of more than 1,200 in the Givens Performing Arts Center.
Chavis gave a two-fisted salute upon hearing the outcome. Earlier in the talent portion of the Miss UNCP Scholarship Pageant, she delivered a powerful rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing."
In fact, the freshman biology major from Pembroke is a littler richer for her efforts, taking home a $1,000 scholarship and free room and board for 2011-12. She also earned a $1,000 costume allowance when she competes for the Miss North Carolina crown in June.
First Runner-up is Courtney Lewis and Second Runner-up is Ashton Young. Lewis was named Miss Congeniality, Amanda Hooker won the Jessica Reed Award for Community Service and Rijhanique Hunt won the Cheryl A. Walters Pageant Spirit Award.
The Walters Award is named for the late mother of Miss UNCP 2010 Jenna Walters. The outgoing queen bid a tearful farewell to a crowd who soaked up her performance and her tears.
“I lost my mom and best friend two weeks before the Miss North Carolina Pageant,” Walters said. “She gave me the heart to compete.”
After taking a tissue from the audience, Walters sang her farewell, “The Best Day,” and got a standing ovation. The large crowd was excited and boisterous all night, a phenomenon not lost on Miss North Carolina Pageant Executive Director Alan Klaus.
“I always love coming to this pageant,” Klaus told the crowd. “There is that college spirit that we have at no other pageant.”
Klaus thanked pageant Executive Director Dr. Diane Jones, vice chancellor for Student Affairs. The evening marked the 59th Miss UNCP Scholarship Pageant.
“The Miss UNCP Scholarship Pageant is always one of our most popular programs on campus as evidenced by the large crowd that attended our 2011 pageant,” Dr. Jones said. “It is a personal development program and the title is highly coveted.
“Chasity Chavis did a wonderful job and we look forward to working with her during the next year as she serves as a role model and ambassador for the University and later competes in the Miss North Carolina Pageant,” she continued. “It is a wonderful scholarship program, and we courage student participation.”
Master of Ceremonies Lane Ragsdale also commented on the successful pageant.
“This is the largest local pageant audience I have ever seen and the best technical crew,” Ragsdale said.
Zavery McDougald is the pageant director and choreographer.
Mistress of Ceremonies was 2010 Miss North Carolina Adrienne Leigh Core. Miss North Carolina performed her clogging routine that won the talent competition at the Miss America Pageant.
For more information about the pageant or Miss UNCP 2011, please contact Business Manager Teresa Bryant or Pageant Coordinator Cynthia Oxendine at 910.521.6584.