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2016 Miss Shorter University crowned

Caleb Britt
Staff Writer
caleb.britt@hawks.shorter.edu

Junior vocal performance major Meredith Howard became Miss Shorter University 2016 on Nov. 5 at the Miss Shorter University Scholarship Pageant.

Howard, who was the first-runner up in 2015, showed improvement by receiving the two biggest awards, the interview award and the talent award, and became the first Miss Shorter University to receive both. The awards added to Howard’s overall score and helped her to take the title.

“I am really happy and never thought that I would come to this point,” Howard said.

The talent portion is one of the heaviest weighted components in Miss America Organization pageants that help the young ladies to stand out. Howard sang “O Mio Babbino Caro,” a song that she has enjoyed singing for years. Also, Howard is the first Miss Shorter University to have opera as her talent.

The pageant world is new to Howard because she did not start competing to pageants until she entered college. Although Howard expects nerve-wrecking experiences, she is looking forward to her Miss Georgia journey to represent the university and display her most confident self. Also, Howard is looking forward to being in an environment of women who have done pageants for a long duration of time and build relationships.

“I think that I can handle it because God has given me the ability to tackle this sort of thing,” Howard said.

Dr. Deborah Popham, associate professor of music, was thrilled when Howard won the pageant and happy to keep the crown in the School of Fine and Performing Arts. Popham believes that the music department is filled with talented students who are deserving of recognition.

“She needs to continue doing what she is doing because she is well rounded, intelligent and thoughtful,” Popham said.

Sydney Hillman, Miss Shorter University 2015 and Miss Hummingbird Festival 2016, was happy to pass the crown down to one of her friends. As Howard goes along the journey of preparing for Miss Georgia, Hillman advises Howard to not take the opportunity for granted and uplift others along the way.

“This all be an opportunity for her to showcase herself, the university, the people and the values they apply in their daily lives,” Hillman said.