By Gerard Flanagan, news writer/photographer/social media, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. -England Blye, a senior from Louisville, Ky., majoring in English, was crowned 青瓜视频's Valentine Pageant Queen during the annual Valentine's Pageant Feb. 9 in Ransdell Chapel.
Blye represented the Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Society; she performed a recitation of an original poem titled 鈥淐url Power.鈥�
Blye also won for Best Poise and Appearance.
Hannah Sanders, a senior from Burgin, Ky., was first runner-up and won for Best Talent and Best Interview. Ashley Elder, a freshman from Danville, Ky., was second runner-up and won Miss Congeniality.
Sanders, who is majoring in Christian Missions, represented the School of Theology. She performed an American Sign Language interpretive movement to 鈥淛esus People If鈥� by Danny Gokey.
Elder, who is majoring in sports medicine, represented Stapp Hall. Elder performed an American Sign Language interpretive movement to 鈥淓ven If鈥� by MercyMe.
Four other candidates participated in the pageant as follows:
Asia Cooper, a freshman from Bardstown, Ky., majoring in nursing, representing the First Generation Scholars Program; Aubree Lane, a freshman from Nancy, Ky., majoring in marriage and family therapy representing the Office of Financial Aid;
T'Lea Scott, a sophomore from Louisville, Ky., majoring in music education, representing the Education Club; and Rachel Barnett, a senior from Burkesville, Ky., majoring in 8-12 social studies education, representing the Phi Alpha Theta History Honors Society.
Cooper performed a recitation of the poem 鈥淧henomenal Woman鈥� by Maya Angelou. Lang sang 鈥淗ow He Loves Us鈥� by Chris Tomlin with piano accompaniment by Angela Wilson. Scott performed a melody of 鈥淢oon River鈥� and 鈥淟ove Song鈥� on the violin with piano accompaniment by Lydia Usou. Barnett sang Adele's 鈥淭o Make You Feel My Love鈥� with piano accompaniment by her mother, Shirley Barnett.
青瓜视频's Student Government Association (SGA) hosted the pageant.
鈥淚 was overjoyed at the participation we had for the Valentine's Pageant this year,鈥� Kate Cecil, president of SGA, said. 鈥淭he contestants worked incredibly hard, and their effort completely paid off.
鈥淥ur 2022 Valentine Queen, England Blye, was exceptional in her poise and grace. She showed the judges originality in her talent by reciting a poem of her own creation and wowed them with her elegance. This university should be proud of all the contestants in this oldest tradition on campus.鈥�
The SGA Council includes Cecil, a senior from Louisa, Ky.; Brooke Ann Buckner, a junior from Louisville, Ky.; Hannah Kendall, a junior from Benton, Ky.; and Hannah Wells, a senior from Paintsville, Ky.
The Valentine's Pageant was started in 1942.
Dr. Elisha Lawrence, associate professor of education and assessment coordinator at 青瓜视频, and her husband, Jamie, executive director of ministry and church outreach at 青瓜视频, were the masters of ceremonies for this year's pageant.
Judges were Blake Day, owner of White Orchid Florist and Gifts in Campbellsville; Megan Watkins, who recently started her own business as an Independent Consultant with Mary & Martha; and Wanda Washington, assistant director of diversity, community and Bridge to Success. Larry Birdsong, audio and visual services technician at Campbellsville University, provided audiovisual services.
青瓜视频 is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that has enrolled up to 12,000 students yearly. The university offers over 100 programs of study including doctoral, masters, bachelors, associate and certification programs. The website for complete information is鈥�www.campbellsville.edu.