Many contestants competed for the crown to become this year’s Miss Corolla at the 2010 Miss Corolla pageant that was held in Moody Music Building on Friday.

Teresa Croom was announced as the 2010 Miss Corolla, Katherine Kelly finished as the first runner-up and Devin Grissom finished as the second runner-up. Croom was elected the campus favorite, Jessica Kribbs was elected the audience favorite, and Hayley Brown and Croom tied for the Miss Congeniality Award.

The program began with Corolla editor Kathleen Buccleugh introducing Master of Ceremonies Paul Houghtaling, who is also an assistant professor of voice and director of opera theatre for the University.

After Houghtaling’s preface to the program, the 26 contestants walked on stage to Michael Buble’s version of “Save the Last Dance for Me.” The opening number was choreographed by 2009 Miss Corolla Elizabeth Nix.

Adorned with the crown that would later be awarded to this year’s winner, Nix walked out on stage along with the contestants near the end of the opening number.

Nix said she has been proud to represent the University as 2009 Miss Corolla.

“I’ve been so excited to have this experience and to represent the University,” Nix said.

Next, Houghtaling introduced each contestant to the audience as they walked in their evening gowns.

After the brief intermission, the top ten contestants were named. They were Jessica Kribbs, Teresa Croom, Barri Elizabeth Stephenson, Tony Machado, Samantha Bunn, Faith Whigham, Katherine Kelley, Devin Grissom, Amanda Burch and Heather Foster.

Each of the top ten contestants were asked questions that related to social and political issues or questions that related to campus affairs. The judges then selected the top winners.

Lynsey Nowell, one judge of the pageant and a former Miss Corolla in 2005, said Croom will represent the University well as 2010 Miss Corolla. Britni Mcmillan, another judge of the pageant, said Croom had a strong voice, great stage presence, and good poise, which contributed to her win in the pageant.

Kiara Wilson, president of Croom’s sorority Delta Sigma Theta and a senior majoring in communicative disorders, said it was an honor to have Croom competing in the pageant.

“I would love for her to win to represent our chapter,” Wilson said. “We’re really excited to be granted this opportunity. I really think she is a very deserving contestant.”

Kelvin Croom, Croom’s father and brother of Sylvester Croom who was the football head coach at Mississippi State University, said Croom has been competing in pageants for years now.

“You have to have the desire to do it,” Croom said. “She’s always been a competitive young lady….Pageants have been a major part of her life…and I think of myself as a ‘pageant dad.’ I’ve been to a lot of pageants to help her out.”