By Ariel C. Emberton, student news writer, Office of University Communication
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Cassie Emery, a junior of Cloverport, Ky., will represent Campbellsville University in the annual Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival in Pineville, Ky., May 24-27.
On Friday, Feb. 9 Emery, who represented Baptist Campus Ministry, was crowned the 2018 Valentine Queen. Emery, along with five other young women, competed for the title during the 76th annual Valentine Pageant. The Student Government Association (SGA) was in charge of the pageant.
Emery performed Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” and was awarded Best Talent along with Miss Congeniality.
Maiya Henderson, a freshman from Bowling Green, Ky., was first runner-up, representing the Black Student Association. She also won Best Interview.
Second runner-up was Rebekah Mobley of Elizabethtown, Ky. A sophomore, she represented the Office of Enrollment Services.
Taylor Edelen, a sophomore of Campbellsville, Ky., represented the Commuters. She received the award for Poise and Appearance while Austin Tucker was named the Best Escort by the candidates.
Kendra Polston, a junior of Burkesville, Ky., represented Stapp Hall; and Amber Wright, a senior or Marion, Ky., represented the swim team.
Before the pageant, each candidate was required to take part in an individual interview with three judges. This interview played a part in the scoring and selection of the queen.
Each candidate was required to perform a talent of their choice for the audience. Henderson chose to read a poem she had written titled “United As One.” Polston performed an interactive dance routine which she also taught to those in the audience. The third contestant, Wright, humored the judges with a stand-up comedy routine.
Edelen sang Johnny Cash’s song “I Shot a Man in Reno.” Mobley, the fifth contestant, brought some chemistry onto the stage and conducted an experiment featuring a chemical reaction.
The final section of the pageant dealt with poise and appearance. During this section each candidate was escorted out in their evening gowns and then asked a random question which they had to answer on the spot.
Derek Basham, a junior of Spottsville, Ky., escorted Emery. Austin Tucker, a senior of Frankfort, Ky., escorted Polston, and Dr. Shane Garrison, vice president for enrollment services and associate professor of educational ministries, escorted Mobley. Taylor Howard, a senior of Winchester, Ky., escorted Edelen. Billy Burgett, a sophomore of Bowling Green, Ky., escorted Henderson. Alex Meade, a senior of Hager Hill, Ky., escorted Wright.
Jessica Johnson, a senior of Clarksville, Ky., and SGA secretary, and Tanner Wilson, a senior of Glasgow Ky. and SGA vice president, hosted the pageant.