Hannah Foote
Contributing Writer
hfoote@murraystate.edu
Students competed for the opportunity to represent the university as Ms. MSU 2022 at the Ms. MSU pageant Saturday, April 2.
This was the first year since the COVID-19 pandemic that an audience was present to watch the pageant.
The crowd showed lots of cheers, support and playful catcalling for each contestant and their organizations. After the pageant, most of the audience swarmed the stage for pictures with the candidates.
This year Hanan Stiff, a sophomore elementary education major nominated by Alpha Sigma Alpha, was crowned Ms. MSU.
Aside from being a part of Alpha Sigma Alpha, Stiff is also a part of Delight Ministries, a ministry group on campus directed toward women.
“After graduation, Hanan plans on teaching at an elementary school, hopefully in the Murray area,” according to a post about Stiff on the Ms. MSU instagram page, @msmurraystateuniversity.
“It was definitely an initial shock because of how many wonderful women I was competing against, but if I had to choose one word it would definitely be an honor,” Stiff Said. “I am so thrilled for this opportunity and excited to see what’s to come.”
Stiff was given a crown, sash and plaque along with a $850 Ms. MSU scholarship.
In ranking order, the other contestants in the Top 5 and consequently the runner ups are: Allye Culp, representing Alpha Omicron Pi; Courtney Rager, representing College of Education and Human Services Student Ambassadors; Anjel Echols, representing Delta Sigma Theta; and Hannah Eriksen, representing Sigma Sigma Sigma.
The pageant also recognized the Top 15 contestants. The contestants included Lani Mitchell, Livy Badalamenti, Kaitlyn Sutton, Emily Winstead, Kennedy Trypus, Jackie Forys, Coleman Austin, Jill Rush, Ana Moyers and Jenna Thomas.
Eriksen was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow competitors prior to the pageant and was awarded a plaque at the pageant. Rager won Most Photogenic, also receiving a plaque.
In the fall, registered student organizations had the opportunity to nominate women to represent their organization.
This year, the Board considered around 50 nominees. For the Board to determine the 15 advancing to compete in the pageant, the nominees went through interviews.
After their selections, the Top 15 performed the opening dance at the pageant in red jumpsuits. Then, each contestant came forward announcing themselves and who they are representing. Afterwards, they walked on stage in their ball gowns, flowing in and out of the spotlights one after the other.
There were gowns of various different styles and colors, some featuring capes and trains.
Afterward, the judges chose the Top 5 contestants who would continue on and present a one-minute speech. From those, the overall scores were determined to decide the next Ms. MSU.
The 2021 Ms. MSU, Hannah Irvin, will go on to represent Murray State in the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival this May for a chance to be crowned queen of the festival by Gov. Andy Beshear.
The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival is a festival held every may in Pineville, Kentucky. Colleges and universities around Kentucky each select one representative. Stiff will have the opportunity to participate in the 2023 Mountain Laurel Festival.