Delta Zeta to host its Annual Miss LSU-USA pageant

Alexandria Manion
Delta Zeta

Since 1998, the Sigma chapter of Delta Zeta has hosted the Miss LSU-USA pageant each spring. So far this year, the contestants have been rehearsing, the theater has been set, and pageant participants will soon take the stage at the LSU Union Theater Sunday, March 18 at 6 p.m.

As a chapter, Delta Zeta prepares throughout the school year for this annual event by collecting ads from local businesses and promoting the pageant, which benefits Delta Zeta’s local and national philanthropies.

“Last year, Delta Zeta donated more than $40,000 from the pageant,” said Kristen Landry, Pageant Director and senior ISDS major.

Locally, DZ supports the Baton Rouge Speech and Hearing Foundation as well as the Painted Turtle Camp, one of Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Camps that gives children with life-threatening illnesses the opportunity for a summer camp experience.

The Miss LSU-USA pageant features local celebrity judges and consists of an interview, swimsuit and evening gown portions of competition as well as an on-stage question for the top 10 contestants.  Other special performances and entertainment will also be featured throughout the evening.

This year, Landry is proud to announce that the pageant will feature 21 contestants. More than half of these contestants represent sororities down the row.

Junior Civil Engineering major Christina Famularo was crowned Miss LSU-USA 2011. A member of Zeta Tau Alpha, she said her reign has been a wonderful experience and is sad to see it come to an end.

“It’s all worth it. I love it,” she said.

Throughout her reign, Famularo was able to meet with legislators and university officials, as well as participate in a number of local charity events.

“It was definitely a great experience," Famularo said. “I’ve been able to do a lot of charity work, which was one of my favorite things.”

One such charity in which Famularo participated as Miss LSU-USA was a telethon for Children's Hospital. As Miss LSU-USA, Famularo also made many special appearances at numerous events on campus and in the community, including a presentation on Tiger Stadium’s field at halftime this past football season. She also attended Mardi Gras in Washington D.C. in February where she met with Louisiana festival queens and local government officials.

When looking back on all of the excitement, Famularo said the highlight of her reign was her participation in the Miss Louisiana pageant, where she was deemed 2nd runner-up.

“It was a rush and something different,” she said. “I prepared for months, and it was definitely worth it.”

Famularo stressed that Miss LSU-USA is not just a beauty pageant.

 “It's a privilege and a job and is so much more than just walking around with a crown on your head,” she said. “You have to be confident in yourself.”

Famularo said people should attend this year’s pageant because it shows the contestant's devotion to their school.

“I think it’s a great way to see how involved girls are on our campus,” she explained. “You get to see who'll be the next face to represent LSU.”

Landry agrees this year’s pageant shouldn't be missed.

“It's a great way to show support for your fellow Greeks,” Landry explained. “It’s an entertaining, fun event you don’t want to miss, and all the funds raised go to a great cause in Delta Zeta’s philanthropies.”

The pageant is also considered an LSU tradition.

“It helps everyone fall in love with LSU all over again,” Famularo explained. “You learn a little bit about the history of LSU and how much the contestants love the University throughout the pageant and through the on-stage question.”

Come out and support this year’s contestants as they vie for the title of Miss LSU-USA 2012. Tickets are $1 and can be purchased from any member of Delta Zeta. Hope to see you on March 18 in the Union Theater. Forever LSU!

Alexandria is a senior studying mass communication, dance and business administration. You may contact her at amanio1@tigers.lsu.edu.