Hollis crowned Miss BPC 2011

Miss BPC 2010 Crystal Adams crowns Marla Hollis Miss BPC 2011 Friday, April 8 as the runners up respond with excitement. Standing (l-r), are Third Runner-up Bethany Beecher, First Runner-up Lisa Taylor, Hollis, Second Runner-up Chelsea Moore. (Photo by Ray Minks)

MOUNT VERNON—Junior Marla Hollis of Patterson was crowned Miss BPC 2011 during the 2011 Miss Brewton-Parker College Pageant Friday, April 8 in the Gilder Recital Hall.

Hollis was also the winner of the Interview portion. Hollis is the daughter of Melvin and Ramona Hollis of Patterson. A Spanish major and psychology minor, Hollis plans to become a translator for the government, specifically in foreign language, after graduation. She is a the secretary of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, member of Baptist Collegiate Ministries and women’s cross country team, resident assistant of Friendship Hall, women’s varsity basketball manager and on the International Standing Committee of Student Government Association. Her hobbies are “running, eating, reading, helping others and sleeping”.

Marla chose to enter the Miss BPC pageant because “it would be an honor of the highest quality to represent such a fine institution and be a testimony to where hard work, determination, and most importantly the love of Christ can take you.” During her year reign, Miss BPC is expected to represent the college in community service and outreach events.

First runner up was sophomore Lisa Taylor of Lyons. Second runner up was junior Chelsea Moore of Alamo. Rounding out the placed category was freshman Bethany Beecher of Mount Vernon as Third runner up.

Miss BPC received a scholarship of $400, a trophy, and a sash. First runner up received a $300 scholarship and a trophy, and both Second and Third runners up received a $100 scholarship. Miss Photogenic received a trophy and the winner of the Interview award received a $100 scholarship.

Two other special prizes were awarded: the People’s Choice Award and the Price Spirit of BPC Award.

The People’s Choice award is given to the audience’s favorite contestant, and is voted on by ballot. The recipient of the People’s Choice Award and a trophy was junior Yolanda Hernandez of Lyons.

The Price Spirit of BPC Award is an award given to the contestant that attends all required rehearsals prior to the pageant, displays a Christian attitude and kindness to others at the rehearsals, and is not selected in the top four contestant winners. This is a director’s award based on cooperation and effort put forth by the contestants.  The Price award is a Mr. Jimmy Price and Mrs. Millie Holder-Price, alumni members of BPC Class of 1996 and 1997. The recipient of the Price Spirit of BPC Award and a $100 scholarship was freshman Kiah Dossey of Pearson.

Marla Hollis walks in her evening gown of orange satin and rhinestones. She is later crowned Miss BPC 2011 among 10 contestants. (Photo by Ray Minks)

The Brewton-Parker Student Affairs office sponsored the 2011 Miss Brewton-Parker Pageant. It was a night of celebration of poise, beauty: both inner and outer. Contestants included Hollis, Taylor, Moore, Beecher, Hernandez, Dossey, freshman Lauren Wilson of Woodstock, junior Jeune Hypolite of Hampton, senior Ashley Marsteller of Toccoa and freshman Nicolasa Torres of Heidelberg, Germany.

Scores were comprised of an on and offstage interview score as well as an evening gown competition score.

The on-stage interview required the ladies to introduce themselves as the pageant began by sharing their name, class year, and favorite Bible verse and why it was their favorite. In previous years, the top five contestants were chosen to answer an on stage question, but this year all contestants participated in the onstage interview question, which varied from topics such as Christian ethics, why the contestant would make a good Miss BPC, how the contestant lives as a Christian role model, and even “If you could have lunch with Dr. Simoneaux, what would you discuss with him?”

Contestants also participated in an offstage interview competition. Each pageant participant attended an interview session with the judges prior to the pageant ceremony Friday night. The interview time consisted of a short talk with the judges concerning issues such as current events, campus life at Brewton-Parker, and each individual’s answers on her contestant biography sheet.

The last competition, the evening gown contest, took place on Saturday evening. The contestants were judged on beauty, gracefulness, and poise on stage. Miss BPC 2010 Miss Crystal Adams was the mistress of ceremonies for the evening. The pageant directors included: Lana Graham, Rhonda Graham, and Millie Price.

Brewton-Parker College is the only accredited four year Christian college in South Georgia.

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