Ten contestants dressed up, showed off their talent and answered both serious and comical questions in Sigma Chi’s Derby Darling pageant Tuesday night.
Sigma Chi President Nick Liebhardt said the pageant is mainly to raise money for the Huntsman Cancer Foundation.
‘People have enjoyed coming in the past and so we want to continue doing it,’ Liebhardt said.
Daniel Mirjavadi, a freshman biology, zoology and engineering technology major from Las Vegas, hosted the pageant.
He said the pageant went ‘very well.’
‘This was my first time hosting it,’ Mirjavadi said. ‘Whatever money we get from this helps and goes to a good cause.’
Many contestants competed to support Sigma Chi.
Jamie Ruch, a freshman nursing major from Cedar City, said she entered the pageant because she ‘loves Sigma Chi.’
Kelly Cannon, a senior English and mathematics major from Provo, also said she competed because she respects Sigma Chi and the cause to support cancer research.
‘This pageant is not meant to be serious, it’s for entertainment,’ she said. ‘It’s a good cause to raise money for cancer research.’
Other students signed up for the contest because they have had family members who have had cancer.
Kelly Rodkey, a freshman nursing major from Blythe, Calif., who danced to ‘Vanilla Ice’ for her talent and told the judges they were her heroes in the interview, signed up for a deeper meaning than just enjoyment.
‘I’m doing it because my mom had cancer and I want to support the research,’ Rodkey said.
Most talents included singing, although some contestants really sang and others lip synced. Choices ranged from Colbie Caillat’s ‘Bubbly’ to the song ‘I’m Not That Girl’ from the musical Wicked.
Cannon, who competed last year, recited the lyrics to a favorite song, which she said reflected her former high school self.
‘I’ve realized that unless you recognize who you were, you can’t recognize who you’ve become today,’ Cannon said.
The interview portion offered both serious questions and questions that clearly prompted a humorous response, such as, ‘What is your favorite article of clothing on a man?’
The answers to that question included a nice set of jeans, a suit, and a good tie.
Some of the contestants were asked to give their own definition of diversity.
Kady Welch, a junior graphic design and communication major from Albany, N.Y., said diversity was about changing the world into a better place.
‘Diversity is coming together for a cause to make the community a better place.’
Cannon also said diversity was coming together, but added that included seeing past prejudices.
‘Diversity is all about coming together and seeing past the differences,’ she said. ‘We can make things better.’
Sara Thorson, a freshman music major from Las Vegas, was chosen as the ‘Derby Darling.’
Thorson, who sang ‘I’m Not That Girl’ for her talent after withstanding five minutes of technical difficulties and said she has become more open since being in college, said she didn’t plan on competing.
‘I didn’t want to do it at first,’ she said.
With the influence of the Delta Psi Omega president, Thorson signed up for the pageant.
‘I never thought I’d win,’ she said. ‘I’m happy though, because it’s important to do something for a good cause.’
The top three contestants received gift certificates to Christensen’s Clothing.
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