The 60th Miss East Texas Baptist University Scholarship Pageant was held April 2. Pictured left to right: First runner up, Heather McGowin; Miss ETBU 2016, Brittany Smith; second runner up, Lauren McCollum; and voted Miss Congeniality, Corrie Andrews. Miss McGowin also received the Talent Award for the pageant. The Miss ETBU Pageant is sponsored by the Student Government Association and is designed to select the young lady who best represents ETBU as a Christ-like ambassador and servant leader.

Mike Midkiff/ETBU

ETBU crowns new queen


The new Miss ETBU, Brittany Smith, receives her crown from Miss ETBU 2015 Morgan Garrett. The 60th Miss East Texas Baptist University Scholarship Pageant was held on April 2 in Baker Auditorium of the Ornelas Spiritual Life Center. Miss Smith is a sophomore nursing major from Los Angeles, California. PHOTO: ETBU/Mike Midkiff.
The new Miss ETBU, Brittany Smith, receives her crown from Miss ETBU 2015 Morgan Garrett. The 60th Miss East Texas Baptist University Scholarship Pageant was held on April 2 in Baker Auditorium of the Ornelas Spiritual Life Center. Miss Smith is a sophomore nursing major from Los Angeles, California. PHOTO: ETBU/Mike Midkiff.

From East Texas Baptist University
Mike Midkiff, Director of Public Relations

MARSHALL– The 60th  Miss East Texas Baptist University Scholarship Pageant was held Saturday, April 2, with sophomore nursing major Brittany Smith of Los Angeles, California crowned as Miss ETBU 2016. Miss Smith competed against 10 other contestants in the pageant held in Baker Auditorium of the Ornelas Spiritual Life Center.

Miss Smith is the daughter of Steve and Sharon Jones. While attending ETBU, she has been a Resident Assistant in Centennial Hall and is a worship leader of a ministry organization called “Charge.”  She has been on Dean’s List and has received several academic and Christian leadership scholarships. She attends Praise Temple in Marshall. After graduating, she plans to work in a hospital emergency environment for a few years to prepare her to eventually work in medical missions with children overseas. She enjoys singing, playing the guitar, painting, and creating intentional conversations.

When Mistress of Ceremonies Traci Ledford, ETBU Associate Professor and Chair of the Department Theatre Arts, called Smith’s name as the new Miss ETBU she was not sure at first it was her.

My first reaction was as if they had made a mistake,” Miss Smith said afterwards. “I did not believe it at first. My stomach kind of dropped when everyone started applauding. I heard contestant number six, and said to myself, that’s me. I stepped up and still did not believe it. I am so blessed to be named Miss ETBU.”

Last year’s Miss ETBU, Morgan Garrett of Coushatta, La., along with ETBU Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Heather Hadlock, and Student Government Association, President Gavin McAdam, crowned Miss Smith before a large enthusiastic crowd.

Hannah McGowin, a sophomore Mass Communication major from Nederland, was selected first runner up. She also won the Talent Award. Miss McGowin is the daughter of Harold and Kathy McGowin. While attending ETBU, she has been a Tiger Cheerleader, SGA senator, Tiger Camp and Welcome Week leader, and the secretary of the American Marketing Association. She has also served in the Beach Reach evangelistic ministry.

Selected second runner up was sophomore nursing major Lauren McCollum of Midlothian. She is the daughter of Ross McCollum and Suzanne Brantley. While attending ETBU, she has been a section leader in the women’s choir, chapel worship leader, and Journey discipleship leader in Baptist Student Ministry. She is a part of the Honors Program and Leadership Fellow.

Named Miss Congenitally was junior elementary education major Corrie Andrews of Cypress.  She is the daughter of Greg and Kim Andrews. While attending ETBU, she has been involved in Freshman Class Council, Journey and Women’s Ministry through Baptist Student Ministry, Delta Pi Theta, Leadership Fellows, and the Association for Texas Professional Educators.

The remaining Miss ETBU contestants included: sophomore Kayla Barrentine of Canton, sophomore Jaci Telles of Nederland, junior Kaitlyn Iseminger of Richmond, junior Brinsley Chance of Port Neches, junior Natile Orr of Lumberton, junior Lexi Pyle of Beaumont, and junior Tori Turner of Garland.

The contestants were judged on personal interview (25%), evening wear (25%), talent (25%), topic and answer (15%) and on line vote by the ETBU community (10%).

The Miss ETBU Pageant is sponsored by the Student Government Association and is designed to select the young lady who best represents ETBU as a Christ-like ambassador and servant leader.

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