Feb. 4, 2002 For Immediate Release To: News Directors and News Editors From: Veronika Brown, Coordinator of Media Relations, 342-5444 MISS LOUISANA 2001 KATI GUYTON HOSTS THE 37TH ANNUAL MISS ULM PAGEANT THIS THURSDAY The 37th annual Miss University Of Louisiana at Monroe pageant, sponsored by the ULM Campus Activity Board, will be held Thursday, Feb. 7, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. at the Monroe Civic Center. Miss Louisiana 2001 Kati Guyton will emcee the pageant. This year's theme is Mardi Gras Masquerade. Seven contestants are competing for the crown, scholarship money and the opportunity to compete in the next Miss Louisiana pageant, which is held in Monroe in June. This year's contestants, their classification and hometown include Sarah Allen, sophomore, Sulphur; Lakesha Bennet, senior, Shreveport; Angela Hillman, senior, Monroe; Olivia Lawdins, freshman, Jennings; Rachel Lowe, junior, Shreveport; LaTrina Roy, sophomore, Monroe; and Jessica Sanders, junior, Winnfield. Contestants will be judged in several categories including interview, talent, swim suit and evening wear. The interview consists of 30% of the total score, talent 40%, swimsuit 15% and evening wear 15%. Talents in Thursday's competition include vocal, dance, musical performance and a magic show. The winner of the title "Miss University of Louisiana at Monroe" receives full tuition and fees for fall 2002 and spring 2003 semesters. First runner-up receives full tuition for fall 2002 and spring 2003 semesters. Second runner-up receives all fees paid for fall 2002 semester. Last year, Shelley Cole, Miss ULM 2001, was a top ten finalist in the Miss Louisiana pageant. The Miss America Organization provides over 40 million dollars in scholarship monies each year to young women across America. Admission to the pageant is $6.00, and free for ULM students. -ulm-