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Miss Sam Houston

Miss Sam Houston

The Miss Sam Houston Pageant is held during the first week of April in the spring semester of each academic year. Preliminary contestants are scored on the areas of Attitude, Public Speaking, Presentation, Interview, and University Knowledge. Each contestant must also provide a brief preview of their talent for the panel. The final event consists of ten participants that have been selected by the preliminary judging panel from the pool of applicants. The final contestants compete in a live event for a new judging panel in three areas: Talent, Spirit Wear, and Short Answer.

Contestants are required to attend a number of rehearsals during which time they are coached on their talent, public speaking skills, and briefed on possible topics for the Short Answer sections. The winner receives a $1,000 education award in addition to serving as a speaker and figurehead for a number of special events. As a part of her title, Miss Sam Houston and her sponsoring organization must host an event the following academic year that remains consistent with her platform. Throughout her reign, Miss Sam Houston is expected to exhibit service, humbleness, promote student engagement at SHSU, and serve as a role model for her peers.

2012 Pageant: Tuesday, April 3rd - LSC Ballroom - 7:00 pm

2012 Finalists:

Alexis Bloomer
Miss. Zeta Tau Alpha, is from the small town of Salado, TX. Currently a freshman at Sam Houston State University, Alexis Bloomer, is studying Mass Communication, with an emphasis on Broadcast Journalism. When Alexis is not involved in school, she is an advocate for Breast Cancer Awareness and Education, she believes that by her dedication to teaching young women about the disease, we can find a cure. Miss. Bloomer is also a feature writer for the national magazine, Rodeo News.

 

Lauren Fenn
A sophomore, from the small town of Orchard, Tx, Lauren Fenn is excited for this chance at becoming Miss Sam Houston 2012. Majoring in Graphic Design/Advertising, Lauren aspires to one day work for a high end magazine. At 19, Lauren is a second year Orientation Leader, who, aside from touring the campus and staging group activities, loves sharing her Bearkat pride with the incoming students, as well as passing on SHSU traditions that mean so much to her. She is an active member of Chi Alpha Campus Ministries as well as a new member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. Lauren is an advocate of raising money for missionaries, and recently went on a Mission Trip of her own with Chi Alpha, to the Home of Hope in Houston, Tx. There, Lauren helped with the construction of a church that provides counseling for victims of sex trafficking. Lauren feels honored and privileged as she gets the opportunity to represent her organization tonight as Miss Chi Alpha.

 

Emily Johnson
Emily Johnson has been a student at Sam Houston for almost a year and has enjoyed every moment. She is a Fashion Merchandising major with a minor in Business. Emily is from Pasadena Texas where she completed her first year at the local community college, San Jacinto College. Emily is very grateful for the opportunities and memories she has created since becoming a part of Sam Houston. Emily works on campus with the Student Activities department and has enjoyed the opportunities this job has provided for her. She also shares her time volunteering with the non-project organization, Project Sunshine where she spends time with children with special needs. She is honored to represent the Project Sunshine organization here today. Emily would like to thank her mom for always encouraging her; the Project Sunshine family for their support through this process, and the pageant committee and judges for giving her the opportunity to share her love of Sam Houston.

 

Dyamnisha King
Dyamnisha King also known as Nisha was born January 5, 1991 in Miami, Florida to Marie Brown and Dwight King. Dyamnisha is currently a junior here at Sam Houston State University. Majoring in the field of Criminal Justice in hopes of becoming a District Attorney and eventually opening up her own law firm one day. Her platform is Child abuse in which she hopes to spread light on such a dark issue, and become a voice for the innocent victims. While attending Sam Houston Dyamnisha has been involved in a variety of organizations offered here on campus. She is currently the Vice President of Phi Alpha Delta Pre-law International Fraternity. She is the current Historian of the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice. A proud Brother of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, and a dancer for Acting on Faith praise dance ministry. Dyamnisha has also landed prestigious internships in the past two years working for Congressman Kevin Brady and Gilbert Garcia a Criminal defense attorney. When Dyamnisha is not busy with leading and participating in her organizations she spends time giving back to the community. She Volunteers at the local Boys and Girls club, Carriage Inn Retirement Home, Good Shepherd Mission home, feeding the homeless and a volunteer in Scott Johnson Elementary after-school program. Dyamnisha has made the Dean's list for the College of Criminal Justice more than once, and also have received honors such as: "Outstanding Leadership Award," and nominated for Who's Who among Students in American Colleges and Universities. When she is not handling business she enjoys playing basketball, working out and watching Criminal Minds.

 

Shelby O'Brien
Shelby O'Brien is the daughter of Paul and Sarah O'Brien. She is from Calallen, Texas, which is a small town near Corpus Christi. She is currently a sophomore here at Sam Houston studying criminal justice with an emphasis in global organized crime. Her platform is human trafficking for this event. She is very involved on campus with a variety of organizations. She is on the Club Power Lifting team, Vice President of the Sam Houston chapter of Texas Trophy Hunters Association, and a proud Brother of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity. She enjoys play intramural sports of all kinds on campus and doing community service around the Huntsville area as well. Some honors she has received here at Sam Houston is making the Deans List, 2nd place as a freshman at the Collegiate National Powerlifting meet, and nominated for a Sammy Award for an Outstanding Sophomore Student Leader. She is Miss Phi Sigma Pi!

 

Angelic Ortiz
Angelic Marie Ortiz was born in Brooklyn, New York; July 5th, 1990 to Evette Miranda and Douglas Lee Williams. At the age of nine, her family moved to Houston, Texas, which is why she likes to think of herself as a Southern Yankee. She has been dancing and performing Salsa and Hip-Hop since the age of ten in Texas and Puerto Rico. Upon high school graduation and unsure of a major, she attended a Saturday at Sam and stumbled into SHSU's Dance Program auditions. Since being accepted into the program, Ballet, Jazz, and Modern have been added to her training. She has performed for Amy Llanes of the Rednerrus Feil Dance Company, Kiera Amison of Texas Women's University, and Shate Edwards of Spelman College as a SHSU student. She has also held the office of Vice President for Sigma Sigma Sigma and Recruitment Director for the National Panhellenic Conference. When looking at her college experience thus far, Angelic is most grateful for the countless opportunities Sam Houston State University has given her. /p>

 

Cheyenne Simpson
Cheyenne, a second year pageant contestant is a junior at Sam Houston State majoring in Mass Communication with an emphasis in broadcast journalism. She aspires to be a news anchor and hopes to one day have her own show on the Oprah Winfery Network. She is involved in several organizations her at Sam Houston all of which she holds a leadership position. She works closely with her sorority Zeta Tau Alpha to help raise money for her platform Breast cancer research, education and awareness. While raising awareness Cheyenne also spends a lot of her time working with broadcasting professionals, as she is an executive member of the National Broadcasting Society. In the past Cheyenne has worked for 90.5 The Kat as a remote and professionals coordinator. She loves being involved with other organizations philanthropy events and volunteering her time in the Huntsville community. At the end of the day she makes time for her family and friends because without them she wouldn't be where she is today.

 

Victoria Towery
Victoria Towery is a sophomore majoring in Finance with a minor in Criminal Justice. She is a two time executive member of Alpha Delta Pi, this year serving as their Director of Social Enrichment. She is also the caucus chair for the College of Business for Student Government Association. During her time here at Sam Houston State University, Victoria has received such awards as 'Most Talented' at the Greek Pantheon Awards, and 'Outstanding Freshman Member' in Alpha Delta Pi. Victoria puts her creativity and organizational skills in to helping coordinate and volunteer for events helping to raise money to enrich the lives of women living with Multiple Sclerosis.

 

Laura Wood
Laura Wood is proud to represent Pi Delta Phi, the French Honors Society at Sam Houston, at this year's Miss Sam Houston Pageant. Despite her French minor, Laura was born in Amberg, Germany where she lived for three years. During middle school and high school she was very involved in school activities of all types: captain of the swim team, secretary of the French Club, violinist in orchestra. This involvement in school carried on to her college career. As a transfer student from the University of Tulsa, she quickly rose to president of the French Club as well as being inducted into French Honors Society and joining PRSSA in her sophomore year of college. Currently she is a junior pursuing a major in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations. In her spare time, Laura enjoys playing guitar, painting with her friends, and learning how to cook. Laura Wood is your Miss French Honors Society.

 

Whitney Wylie
Freshman, Whitney Wylie, is a Mass Communication major with an emphasis in broadcast journalism. Her ambition is to be the next Diane Sawyer. She is also the feature twirler for the Bearkat Marching Band. Whitney has been twirling for 13 years and has won several national and state titles. Whitney is a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity and a member of the Royalty club. Whitney is also a competitor in the Miss America Organization, and is currently working to make it to the 2012 Miss Texas pageant, in hopes to someday compete at the Miss America pageant in Las Vegas. Whitney's platform is 'Get Up and Get Involved: Volunteerism.' She spends most of her time promoting volunteer work and working with groups to raise money. Whitney has raised over $400 for the Children's Miracle Network, $500 towards the American Cancer Society, and has volunteered with several food and toy drives, retirement homes, and community events. Ms. Wylie has contributed to the spirit on Sam Houston's campus, not only by being involved, but by entertaining the fans with her twirling and befriending all of those that she meets. As a legacy, Whitney follows in her father, mother, and grandparents' footsteps by adding to the pride that Sam Houston holds.