By Matthew Taylor, student news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky – Hannah Baxter, a sophomore of Leitchfield, Ky. representing Honors, was crowned Valentine Queen at the 78th annual Valentine Pageant at Campbellsville University Feb. 7. The pageant, consisting of nine young women, was organized by the Student Government Association (SGA) and was held in Ransdell Chapel.
Baxter sang “You Are the Reason” by Callum Scott for her talent. Baxter was accompanied by Hannah Witmer on guitar. She was also awarded Best Poise and Appearance. She will go on to represent Campbellsville University in the annual Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival in Pineville, Ky. May 21-23.
First runner-up was Lydia Manley, a junior of Russellville, Ky., escorted by Caleb Holt. She represented Church Outreach and sang “If I Ain’t Got You” by Alicia Keys. Her father, Jeff Manley, accompanied her on piano.
Second runner-up was Reagan Davidson, a junior of Paducah, Ky., escorted by Zac Hornung. She represented Baptist Campus Ministry (BCM) and sang “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman. Davidson also won Best Talent with her performance.
Anna McKinley, a junior of Elizabethtown, Ky., won Miss Congeniality. McKinley represented the University Chorale and performed an original comedy routine. She was escorted by Josh Dooley.
Kasi Givans, a junior of Brandenburg, Ky., won Best Interview. Givans represented the Education Club and performed an original song including lyrics and music on the piano. She was escorted by her father, David Givans.
Chesney Bethel, a freshman of Glasgow, Ky., won the pageant’s first People’s Choice Award. Bethel represented Commuters and performed an original dance routine to “Helium” by Sia. She was escorted by her nephew, Camdyn Waggoner, who won Best Escort.
Rachel Barnett, a sophomore of Burkesville, Ky., was escorted by Micah Eubank. Barnett represented Phi Alpha Theta and performed a monologue titled “9 to 5, Dolly Parton’s Impact on Feminism.”
Milan Bailey, a sophomore of Louisville, Ky., was escorted by Jeremiah Parker. Bailey represented Black Student Association (BSA) and read an original poem titled “Her Purpose.”
Julia Heo, a junior of South Korea, represented the International Student Association and was escorted by Tommasso Sopranzetti. She performed “Listen” by Beyonce for her talent.
Candidates first took part in an interview with the judges on Tuesday, Feb. 4, which was recorded and played at the beginning of the pageant. The interview was scored out of 80 possible points.
The contestants were scored on their public speaking abilities by introducing themselves for a total of 60 possible points.
The talent portion of the pageant allowed the contestants to get up to another 60 points for their score.
For the poise and appearance section, candidates displayed their evening gowns and at the end of their walk, had to answer a question drawn at random. That category was worth a combined total of 100 points.
Andrew Coy, a senior of Hodgenville, Ky., and Rebekah Mobley, a senior of Elizabethtown, Ky., were the hosts for the pageant
Blake Day of Campbellsville, Ky., Gabrielle Naylor of Russell Springs, Ky. and Eva Vaughn of Campbellsville, Ky. were this year’s judges.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 14,000 students offering over 100 programs of study including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The university has Kentucky based off-campus centers in Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset, Hodgenville and Liberty with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville. Out-of-state centers include two in California at Los Angeles and Lathrop, located in the San Francisco Bay region. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.
Campbellsville University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award certificates, associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the status of Campbellsville University.