Seven to Compete in Miss Gardner-Webb Pageant on March 26

Program Held During Women’s History Month to Honor Women who Inspire

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Seven young women will compete on March 26 for the title of Miss Gardner-Webb. The annual event will be held at 3 p.m. in Dover Theatre. The pageant is held during Women’s History Month to honor women who inspire and lead by their examples.

Pageant coordinator is Jes Raduly, associate director of Student Engagement. “The 2023 Miss Gardner-Webb Pageant is an empowering tradition based on confidence, grace and sisterhood,” Raduly described. “The contestants represent who they are as a person, what they are passionate about in life and what they strive to be in the future. Throughout the pageant journey, the contestants have learned life lessons, time management, commitment, and self-acceptance from all the amazing women involved in the pageant, who are staff, students, and alumni of Gardner-Webb University. The Miss Gardner-Webb pageant would not be successful if it weren’t for the gracious people who assisted in the planning, preparation and execution of this pageant.”

The contestants prepared for the event by working on choreography with 2019 alumna Kaylie Lemmon. Lemmon has experience in cheer and dance and received her master’s in school counseling from Gardner-Webb. A workshop on poise and confidence was led by Miss GWU 2022, Alli Cooke, a junior elementary education major from Hickory, N.C., and the 2022 first runner-up Bri Bryant, a sophomore biblical studies with a concentration in discipleship major from Gastonia, N.C.

Contestants participate in an opening number and compete in four areas: business wear, casual wear, talent and evening gown, which includes a speech from each young lady. “The contestants write a tribute speech about a woman who has inspired them in their lives,” Raduly explained. “These tribute speeches will be read during the evening wear portion of the pageant.”

Miss Gardner-Webb University Pageant

Emcee

Tori Weatherley, senior political science major with a minor in English from Friendswood, Texas.

Judges:

• Thea Thompson, Assistant Vice President, Web and Digital Communications.
• Carrie Baker, Director of Academic Services for Student Athletes.
• Stephanie Allen, Director of Counseling Services.
• Reilly Morgan, Undergraduate Admissions Counselor.
• Caylin Smith, Assistant Director Residence Education.

Scorekeeper:

Dr. Felice Policastro, Professor of International Business and Finance

2023 Contestants

Competing in this year’s pageant are:

BryceLynn Glover

• Hometown: Waco, N.C.
• Academic year: Freshman
• Major: Psychology

Anna Sample

• Hometown: Freemont, Calif.
• Academic year: Junior
• Major: Psychology

Sierra Jones

• Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
• Academic year: Sophomore
• Major: Political Science/English

Maddalena Giovine

• Hometown: Elk Village, Ill.
• Academic year: Junior
• Major: American Sign Language

Grace Fort

• Hometown: Monroe, Ga.
• Academic year: Freshman
• Major: Nursing

Alyssa Wilkie

• Hometown: Bostic, N.C.
• Academic year: Freshman
• Major: Nursing

Kendal Vest

• Hometown: Shady Spring, W.Va.
• Major: Exercise Science (Pre-Professional)

Auxiliary aids will be made available to persons with disabilities upon request 10 working days prior to the event.  Please call 704-406-4270 or email [email protected] with your request.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.