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Eight Leos participate in pageant

Liana Acosta, a freshman, was crowned Miss La Verne Jan. 20. Acosta volunteers at her local blood bank and at her family church. Acosta also spends time taking care of her nephew Paul Lozano, as seen above. / photo by Natalie Fowle
Liana Acosta, a freshman, was crowned Miss La Verne Jan. 20. Acosta volunteers at her local blood bank and at her family church. Acosta also spends time taking care of her nephew Paul Lozano, as seen above. / photo by Natalie Fowle

by Mike Lawson
Staff Writer

After 10 weeks of rehearsal, including being judged on swimsuits, evening gowns and talent and being interviewed by a panel of six judges, the “Miss La Verne” pageant is over. A group of nine women, eight of who were University of La Verne students, competed in the Miss La Verne beauty pageant.

Freshman Liana Acosta was crowned this year’s Miss La Verne. The first runner-up was sophomore Deja Collier, and the second runner-up was senior Eboni Stanford.

The pageant, which is an official preliminary to Miss California, took place on Jan. 20. Acosta will move on to the Miss California pageant, which will be held this June.

“It was more than a beauty pageant,” said Acosta. “It was a scholarship pageant.”

The women competed for the first place scholarship of $1,000. The runner-up received a scholarship for $400. The second runner-up received a $300 scholarship, and the other women received a $100 scholarship for participating.

“I had nothing to lose,” said Collier about why she joined the pageant.

First runner-up Deja Collier is in her second year of cheerleading. / photo by Natalie Fowle

Thirty percent of the contestant’s score was based on the personal interview done with a panel of judges. The women were asked about educational and career goals, their opinions on current events and social issues, and their favorite hobbies and extracurricular activities.

Contestants also performed a two-minute routine that showed one of their talents. Collier’s talent was dance. She has been dancing since she was a child.

For the pageant she danced to a lyrical opera-style song. The piece was, to her, “powerful, slow and uplifting.”

The talent portion made up 40 percent of their score. Scoring is based on the woman’s skill, interpretive ability and stage presence.

Each contestant appeared on stage in a formal dress of her choice. The score from this portion was 15 percent, based on overall first impression, sense of confidence, personality and stage presence, walk, posture and appropriateness of attire.

The evening gown portion of the competition taught Collier how to hold and present herself in a respectable manner, she said.

Eboni Stanford is currently a program assistant for housing and residential life. / photo by Natalie Fowle

The last 15 percent was based on physical fitness in a swimsuit. The judging criteria for the contestants was based on physical fitness and health, overall physique, posture, grace, sense of confidence and presence on stage.

Collier said, the Miss La Verne Pageant helped her learn something about herself.

“I learned to be competitive,” said Collier, “but, I still had fun. It was a nice environment.”

Acosta, Miss La Verne 2000, said that the pageant has helped her to “stay calm in stressful situations.” She is excited about the upcoming Miss California pageant. Acosta said she will not be extremely disappointed if she doesn’t win.

“I understand that there are a lot of qualified girls out there,” she said.

In addition to competing for Miss California, duties for Miss La Verne include ribbon cutting ceremonies and appearances at city related events throughout the year, including the city’s annual Fourth of July parade.

Mike Lawson
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Natalie Fowle
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