Sophomore Merrilee LaVilla crowned Miss Shorter University

February 22, 2013 - Merrilee LaVilla, a sophomore communication arts major at Shorter University, was crowned Miss Shorter University on Feb. 21. LaVilla, a native of Acworth, Ga., was selected for this honor by a panel of three judges. She received a $2,000 scholarship and earned a chance to compete in the Miss Georgia Scholarship Pageant later this year.

At Shorter, LaVilla is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, Panhellenic Council, and serves as president of College Republicans.

From left to right: Second runner-up Bricey Bradshaw, Miss Shorter University Merrilee LaVilla, and first runner-up Benjie Klouda.

Benjie Klouda, a freshman pre-nursing major from Trion, Ga., was first runner-up. She is a Shorter University cheerleader and a gymnastics coach at Hotshots Cheerleading Gym. Junior communication major Bricey Bradshaw was second runner-up. The Canton, Ga., native is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, Shorter Relations Society, The Periscope student newspaper staff, the Peer Mentoring Program, and West Rome Baptist Collegiate Ministry.

Presented by Shorter’s Office of Student Life and the Student Government Association, the Miss Shorter Pageant featured five phases, including a 10-minute private interview, a lifestyle and fitness swimwear competition, an artistic expression/performing arts competition, an on-stage interview, and an evening wear competition.

Other competitors were Mary Blanks, Claire Crain, Sarah Curlee, Amanda DeJiacomo, Ashley Henderson, Mary Ellen Kiker, Kassie Oldham, Lauren Persichetti, Lauren Shields, Rachel Skinner, and Tabitha Smith.

The Miss Shorter University Scholarship Pageant is a preliminary to the Miss Georgia Scholarship Pageant.

See a photo gallery of more images on Flickr

Founded in 1873, Shorter University is a Christian university committed to excellence in education. The Princeton Review annually includes Shorter on its list of best value and best Southeastern Colleges. Shorter University is a member of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). Shorter offers traditional bachelor’s degree program in 48 areas of study, online courses and degree programs, undergraduate programs for working adults, and four master’s programs. Shorter is online at www.shorter.edu.

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