Miss Gardner-Webb Pageant Emceed by Miss South Carolina International 2011 Chelsea Gregory

Feb. 1, 2012 - PRLog -- Chelsea Rae Gregory may be a beauty queen, but she has found a new love.  Directing and producing pageants as well as coaching the contestants.  A senior PR major at Gardner-Webb,Chelsea has been serving as Miss South Carolina International 2011 for almost a year.  She won the title last March and has made her year a tremendous opportunity for her to share her desire to help others with ADHD.

Her freshman year, Chelsea participated as a contestant for the Miss Gardner-Webb pageant.  Then last year, rather than compete, Chelsea wanted to help direct and emcee the pageant.  She wanted to get experience for her PR degree.  The pageant was vastly improved because of her efforts.  And this year, Chelsea took the reigns to co-direct and emcee the pageant for her last time.  

The preparations started well before Christmas.  Working closely with Student Activities Director, Karissa Weir, Chelsea wanted to make some changes to the format.  Using her experience as a Miss USA, Miss United States and Miss Motor Sports contestant as well has her title as Miss SC International, Chelsea wanted to make the pageant more professional and a bit more demanding of the contestants.  

The pageant process began when 18 contestants went through interviews on January 14th.  Chelsea had chosen a new judge, Steven Savage to round out the panel of judges.  Chelsea also had to fill in as a judge during the interviews.  Of the 18 contestants, 12 were chosen to move forward to the final pageant.

Once the interviews were over, Chelsea helped the contestants with tips on how to walk, how to make eye contact with the judges and stage presence.  

The pageant, which was held in Dover Theater on January 29th, began at 3:00 pm.  The opening number was choreographed by Lindsey Gladhill.  It was a spectacular number that was more than just a typical pageant opening number.  "This dance was a legit dance team type of dance.  It was very difficult but the girls got it!" said Chelsea.

The opening number included introductions of each of the 12 contestants.  After the opening number, a video was shown that Chelsea created with the help of a friend in the video department.   The video was played to the song "Firework"  and featured three contestants getting their make up done.  

The contestants were featured in Fun Fashion, an outfit that depicted who they are.  They also had to perform a talent and finally model evening gowns.  

The contestants were, Sara Jolly, Amber Gold, Torri Hunter, Hannah Black, Molly McKinney, Heather Anne Pfeiffer, Verhonda Crawford, Elizabeth Kralio, Taniesha Lee, Hannah Hellyer and Bre Davenport.

The winner at the end of the night was Sara Jolly, a senior PR major.

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Mentors-Matter is a non profit founded by Chelsea Rae Gregory, Miss SC International. The program offers workshops, support groups and a website resource that helps students with learning disabilities get into college and be successful in life.