Delta State University’s Student Government Association (SGA) recently made the decision to rename the university’s annual Most Beautiful Pageant. The renaming of the event was made official by DSU’s SGA cabinet at their weekly meeting on Jan. 27, 2025.
SGA president, Hayden Kirkhart, proposed to change the name of Delta State’s annual beauty pageant from the Most Beautiful Pageant to Miss Green and White. According to Kirkhart, this renaming will also bring about a change in the pageant itself, focusing less on appearance and more on personality, stage presence, and campus involvement. When asked about her reasoning for the name change, Kirkhart responded, “My thought process behind this proposal was, I feel that the most beautiful name is outdated.”
The next interest meeting for the newly named Miss Green and White Pageant will be held Mar. 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Information for the Miss Green and White interest meetings.
The SGA is currently discussing the idea of including an introductory segment of the pageant in which each contestant will give her name, classification, major, and a favorite quote. These quotes must be preapproved by the SGA, though they can be as short or long as the contestant desires. Kirkhart expressed that she hopes the inclusion of reciting a quote will “show a little bit of personality.” Stage presence and public speaking will now directly impact the contestant’s score in the pageant.
Attorney general of the SGA, Luke Kennedy, said about the added public speaking element of the pageant, “To me, somebody that’s going to represent our school well should be somebody that could be outspoken and would be comfortable getting on the stage.”
SGA vice president, Aubrey Claire Norris, said on the topic of beauty pageants, “I think that pageants help bring self-confidence and that’s the reason why pageant programs are started, that you want to build your confidence, scholarships, all that.” She also commented on the public speaking portion of Miss Green and White: “I think that having that onstage question, even if you are a little bit shy, you’re getting on the stage, you’re talking, and I think that that will help bring out everybody’s personalities.”
Kirkhart also confirmed that the Miss Photogenic title will also be part of the competition as an option. Professional headshots will be taken of the contestants who wish to compete for the title of Miss Photogenic, though these will not affect the overall pageant score. This competition is not a mandatory part of the Miss Green and White pageant, as Kirkhart stressed in the SGA cabinet meeting.
An interview of each contestant will be conducted by the judges prior to the pageant, allowing the judges and contestants to get to know one another before the event itself.
The members of the SGA cabinet have all expressed their excitement over this change to a beloved Delta State University tradition and their hopes that this will usher in a new perspective on pageantry.
The Miss Green and White pageant details are still in discussion with the Student Government Association, and they are hoping to gain feedback through the February and March interest meetings.
For more information on the Miss Green and White Pageant, contact the SGA via email at sga@deltastate.edu.
Weekly SGA meetings are held every Monday at 7:30 p.m. for any questions or concerns.
