March 24, 2015
MARSHALL, Texas (3/24/15) - East Texas Baptist University will hold its 59th Miss ETBU Pageant on Saturday, March 28, 2015 beginning at 7:00 p.m. The pageant will be held in Baker Auditorium of the Ornelas Spiritual Life Center with 10 contestants competing for the crown. The event is free and the community is invited to attend.
The 2015 Miss ETBU contestants are: sophomore Taylor Bankston of Nederland, sophomore Tristen Parr of Atlanta, sophomore Natile Orr of Lumberton, junior Anne Warke of White Oak, senior Stevi Slaughter of Longview, sophomore April Fry of Winnsboro, junior Katelyn Pope of Carthage, junior Morgan Garrett of Coushatta, La., sophomore Kaelie Jones of Marshall, and junior Gabreille Garcia of Houston.
The winner will be crowned by the 2014 Miss ETBU, nursing major Sarah Alvis of Fort Worth. The contestants will be judged on personal interview (25%), evening wear (25%), talent (25%), question and answer (15%) and faculty/staff vote (10%).
The Miss ETBU Pageant is sponsored by the Student Government Association and is designed to select the young lady who is most representative of ETBU. The candidates are nominated by campus organizations.
Information about each contestant:
Taylor Bankston is a sophomore pursuing a degree in elementary education. She is the daughter of Michael and Tracy Bankston. While attending ETBU, Taylor has been a part of the cheer team, helped with Mission's Life Group, and .COM or Cultural Outreach Ministry. She has also been recognized for being on the Dean's list. Taylor attends Mobberly Marshall and she helps volunteer at the kid's life program at Cypress Valley Bible Church, helped with the fall festival, and soup kitchen. After graduating Taylor hopes to use her teaching degree overseas teaching English and work in orphanages. She enjoys dance, hanging out with friends, snow skiing, and traveling. Her hometown is Nederland, TX.
Tristen Parr is a sophomore pursuing a degree in elementary education. She is the daughter of Doug and Donna Parr. While attending ETBU, Tristen has attended the Missions Life Group, worked at the Dean Healthplex, and attends the sporting events on campus. She made Dean's list with honors and has a willingness to serve others in her community. Tristen attends Light of the World Christian Church in Marshall. After graduation she would love to do mission work and teach the children in the United States and globally. Tristen enjoys hanging out with people, trying new things, serving the Lord, and watching basketball. Her hometown is Atlanta, TX.
Natile Orr is a sophomore pursuing a degree in business marketing. She is the daughter of Eric and Shawn Orr. While attending ETBU, Natile has been co-captain of the cheer team, a member of student foundation and academic coach in Centennial Hall. She has also made Dean's list with honors and volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club, set up two Fall Festivals, downtown Christmas parade, Crossroads Fall Festival, and Crystal Beach Crab Fall Festival. Natile attends Immanuel Baptist Church of Marshall. She is currently unsure what she would like to do after graduation, but knows the Lord will guide her where she needs to be. Natile enjoys cheerleading, spending time on the beach, and traveling the world to experience their different cultures. Her hometown is Lumberton, TX.
Anne Warke is a junior pursuing a degree in secondary education. She is the daughter of Robert Warke and Joy Nelson. While attending ETBU, Anne has been involved with English Honors Society. She attends Friendship Baptist Church of Marshall. After graduating, Anne plans to teach AP English courses and write novels. She loves writing, photographing cats, reading, contemplating life, and reading her Bible. Anne's hometown is White Oak, Texas.
Stevi Slaughter is a senior pursuing a degree in biology. She is the daughter of Brian and LeaAnn Slaughter. While attending ETBU, Stevi has been involved in the Sigma Pi Sigma and Chemistry Club. She has received the Presidential Honor Scholarship. Stevi attends Restoration Fellowship where her ministry is serving as a youth group leader and is a tutor at Marshall Jr. High. After graduation Stevi plans to become a teacher. She enjoys playing instruments, arts and crafts, playing flag football, softball, learning new things, and hanging out with friends and family. Stevi's hometown is Longview, Texas.
April Fry is a sophomore pursuing a degree in all-level kinesiology. She is the daughter of Tony and Dianna Fry. While attending ETBU, April has made Dean?s list for the past four semesters and was a member of the Blue Crew, a student led spirit group on campus. She helps at the Cypress Valley Childcare, served as a leader in DiscipleNow weekends, Learning and Leading Fall Festival, Field day for Washington Elementary, and the Fall Festival at Hallsville. After graduating April plans to get her teacher certification so she can teach elementary physical education. She loves being outdoors, hanging out with friends and family, and spending time with children. She attends First Baptist Church in her hometown of Winnsboro, TX
Katelyn Pope is a junior pursuing a degree in nursing. She is the daughter of Kurt and Kayla Pope. While attending ETBU, Katelyn has been involved in cheerleading and received Dean's list with honors for three semesters. After graduation Katelyn plans to practice as a RN at a hospital where she feels God is leading her. After sufficient clinical experience she would like get her Masters and become a certified nurse anesthetist. Katelyn enjoys riding horses, playing sports with friends, and loves to worship the Lord through song. She attends Shiloh Methodist Church in her hometown of Carthage, TX.
Morgan Garrett is a junior pursuing a degree in all-level kinesiology. She is the daughter of Mark and Felicia Garrett. While attending ETBU, Morgan has played for the women's basketball team and captain for them and is involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She has received Dean's list with honors, ASC Academic All-Conference, and ASC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete team. After graduating Morgan would like to get her master's degree and become a coach. She enjoys spending time with her family, sports, recreation, hunting and fishing, and CetriKid where she shares the gospel with children. Her hometown is Coushatta, LA.
Kaelie Jones is a sophomore pursuing a degree in nursing. She is the daughter of Mike and Kim Jones. While attending ETBU, Kaelie has attended Release, volunteered at Lee Elementary, and was an assistant dance instructor at Diva Dance Studio. She attends River Crossing Cowboy Church. After graduation Kaelie aspires to use her nursing degree and work in pediatrics. She enjoys dance, working with children, working with special need individuals, watching baseball, and singing. Her hometown is Marshall, TX.
Gabrielle Garcia is a junior pursuing a degree in Religion. She is the daughter of Amy Berdo and Israel Garcia. While attending ETBU, Gabrielle has been involved in Baptist Student Ministries as publicity coordinator, women's discipleship leader, and worship leader. She also received the ministry scholarship. Gabrielle attends Friendship Baptist Church while in Marshall and Bayou City Fellowship when she is back home. She is involved in Dayspring Therapeutic Equestrian Center and leads worship. After graduation, Gabrielle wants to pursue a master's degree at ETBU and become involved in missions in the United States or overseas. She enjoys leading worship, geocaching, writing songs, training horses, learning new languages, cooking, reading, surfing, traveling, and mission work. Gabrielle's hometown is Houston, Texas.