On Friday, Nov. 22, Rowan After Hours (RAH) and Beauty In Distress (BID) worked together to host a beauty pageant in the pit of the Chamberlain Student Center.

RAH staff, BID club members, and RTN staff worked hard to make this a night that everyone enjoyed. 

The emcee for the night was Hope Campbell, a junior here at Rowan. The panel of judges included Ashley Campbell, Zackary Brown, Neveah Lorjuste, and Simran Lamba. The night featured performances by Xavier May, Rowan’s ULA dance team, Ritmo Caliente, and Sasha. 

“This pageant was created to not only highlight the individuals’s beauty but to applaud them for their student leadership as well,” said Campbell.

Campbell introduced the contestants as they walked the RAH stage for the first time of the night. Each contestant walked about to the front of the stage, introduced themselves, and shouted out the organization they represented for the night.

After a performance from Sasha, the contestants walked the stage again, showing off outfits that represented their organization, while Campbell shared information about them such as their year, major, and favorite memories at Rowan. 

In the talent portion of the competition, the contestants were able to showcase their talent and personalities in various ways. Amanda Bermo, representing Colleges Against Cancer, sang “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars. Yashira Guzman, representing the Rowan Hip Hop Culture Club, sang Linger by The Cranberries while playing the guitar. 

Xachil Joachin, representing the United Latino Association (ULA) performed a dance routine, showing off her personality and culture. 

Emily Schwartz, representing Cinema Workshop, and Chelsea Suer, representing the Student Organization for Caribbean Awareness, performed spoken word pieces showcasing their passions and what they stand for.

“This piece is near and dear to my heart, and I love it,” said Suer about her poem.

During intermission, guests were invited to enjoy the food bar provided by RAH and BID. The audience also voted for the contestant who they thought should win. 

After everyone enjoyed their appetizers and mocktails, the ladies walked the stage a final time to show off their evening wear. They wore gowns and sashes, showcasing their beauty and the clubs they were part of. As they walked the stage, Campbell shared things about the contestants’s personalities, families, and goals. 

For the interview portion of the pageant, the contestants were asked two questions. One, they knew before the pageant. The second question was pulled at random from a bowl. 

“Being part of the bid modeling team has really given me the opportunity to be confident in myself, be strong, and realize that it’s not about bodies it’s not about the appearance it’s about who you truly are… all these amazing women standing here on the stage are showing you exactly that,” said Joachin, Miss ULA. 

After one final performance from the ULA dance team, it was finally time to crown the winner of the pageant. 

Guzman, Miss Rowan Hip Hop, was awarded most photogenic, voted on by the judges. Miss Congeniality was awarded to Bermo, Miss Colleges Against Cancer, voted by her fellow contestants. Bermo was also awarded People’s Choice, voted by the audience. 

The second runner-up for “Beauty Beyond Distress” was Bermo. The first runner-up was Buer, Miss SOCA. And finally, the contestant that was crowned for first place was Joachin, Miss ULA.

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