April 5, 2015
MARSHALL, Texas (3/30/15) - East Texas Baptist University held its 59th Miss ETBU Pageant crowning junior all-level kinesiology major Morgan Garrett of Coushatta, La., as Miss ETBU 2015. Miss Garrett competed against nine other contestants in the pageant held Saturday evening, March 28, 2015, in Baker Auditorium of the Ornelas Spiritual Life Center.
Miss Garrett 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, American Southwest Conference (ASC) Academic All-Conference, and ASC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete team. After graduating Morgan would like to earn her master's degree and coach. She enjoys spending time with her family, sports, recreation, hunting, fishing, and CetriKid where she shares the gospel with children. She also received the Best Talent Award.
Last year's Miss ETBU, Sarah Alvis of Fort Worth, along with ETBU Interim President Dr. Lawrence Ressler and Student Government Association President Levi Malone crowned Miss Garrett before a large enthusiastic crowd.
Katelyn Pope, a junior nursing major from Carthage, was selected first runner up. Miss Pope is the daughter of Kurt and Kayla Pope. While attending ETBU, she has been involved in cheerleading and received Dean's list with Honors for three semesters. After graduation Miss Pope plans to practice as a RN at a hospital where she feels God is leading her. She attends Shiloh Methodist Church in her hometown.
Selected second runner up was sophomore business marketing major Natile Orr of Lumberton. She is the daughter of Eric and Shawn Orr. While attending ETBU, she has been co-captain of the cheer team, a member of student foundation and academic coach in Centennial Hall. Miss Orr has also made the Dean's list with honors and volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club. She also received the Miss Congeniality Award.
The remaining Miss ETBU contestants included: sophomore Taylor Bankston of Nederland, sophomore Tristen Parr of Atlanta, junior Anne Warke of White Oak, senior Stevi Slaughter of Longview, sophomore April Fry of Winnsboro, sophomore Kaelie Jones of Marshall, and junior Gabreille Garcia of Houston.
The contestants were 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.
(Photo courtesy of Dr. Lawrence Ressler, @lressler1. Kayla Cradit contributed to this article.)