Zionsville — More than 1200 people packed into Zionsville High School’s Performing Arts Center Saturday night for the finale of the 66th annual Miss Indiana Scholarship Pageant.
Excitement mounted as the Top 10 contestants were announced, and then again later in the evening as only five finalists were chosen to compete for the coveted crown.
In the end, the final honor of Miss Indiana 2006 went to Betsy Uschkrat, Miss Indiana University.
A native of Texas, and a soon-to-be second year graduate student at IU, Uschkrat will advance to compete against 52 contestants from all over the country in the 2007 MIss America Pageant.
“I was in complete shock,” Uschkrat said of her win. “These 27 girls were unlike any other set of contestants (I’ve competed with).”
She said that through her win, she would like to use her influence and position to campaign for her platform: Fighting Hunger in Our Communities with Heart and Soul. Uschkrat recently formed an alliance with FIsH, Indiana’s Coalition to feed its hungry, and also founded and hosted Heart and Soul benefit concert for the Hoosier Hills Food Bank in early June.
Uschkrat has been performing in pageants since 2001. She said she was drawn in by the talent competitions and the opportunity to push for a certain platform.
To prepare for the program, Uschkrat said she did a lot of training, including mock interviews.
“I think (the most challenging aspect) is the discipline it takes to do the things you may not feel like doing,” said Susan Guilkey, Miss Indiana 2005. “Whether its practicing for the talent competition, or exercising, or even shopping ... it takes a lot of time and a lot of effort.”
Co-Executive Director Aren Howell said to put on a pageant of such magnitude took a lot of effort from several organized efficient parties.
“It takes a lot of dedication and a lot of hours from large network of people,” she said.
This is the second consecutive year the Miss Indiana Scholarship Pageant has been held in Zionsville since its relocation from Terre Haute.
Howell said she, along with Co-Executive Director Frank Ricketts, and Breanne Tisch, vice president of the Miss Indiana board of directors, sent a proposal to the national Miss America Organization promoting Zionsville as a venue.
Ricketts said Zionsville was an ideal spot because of its central location.
“It’s the benefit of a large community, but also a small town, that has embraced us,” he said.
Ricketts added that having the families and friends of 27 contestants from all across the state, and the country, was a huge advantage for Zionsville’s businesses and promotion.
“I think it’s going to help put Zionsville on the map,” said Darryl Johnson, former president of the Zionsville Lions Club.
Johnson, along with other Zionsville Lions Club members, served as an usher throughout each night of the program.
The Lions Club was also integral in putting together the Miss Indiana parade Friday afternoon, providing drivers and manpower. In addition, the Lions Club hosted a cookout for the contestants and their families at the Lions Club Park Monday night.
Other organizations that supported the Miss Indiana pageant include the Zionsville Boys and Girls Club, Ritter’s and Brent Tree Golf Club.
“Zionsville is such a tight-knit community,” Howell said. “I think that’s what’s making (the Miss Indiana pageant) so successful,” Howell said.
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Reporter photo by Whitney Juckno
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Then there was one
Betsy Uschkrat takes Miss Indiana title.
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