Pageant drifts from stereotypes

Willie Karashin/Senior Photographer THERE SHE IS: Marcy Astrup, a senior in the School of Liberal Arts, was crowned Miss Purdue 2002 Sunday.

By Kevin Grindlay
Staff Writer

A Hindu god awakens from dormancy, only to find itself confronted by a demonic force. Collecting itself, it proceeds to battle with the demon through a series of mysterious dance maneuvers.

Pink's "Get This Party Started" bounces off the walls. A petite pianist conjures thunder with a blistering grace. This is not the picture that is usually painted of Miss America-style pageants.

However, for those who attended the 2002 Miss Purdue competition, it was a reality. The talent portion of this year's contest showcased clarinet virtuosity, a performance of a song via sign-language, belly dancing and a dramatic vocal interpretation.

There were two special talent displays, as well. Allison Hatcher, Miss Indiana 2001, transfixed the audience with her tempestuous mastery on the piano. Also, Miss Purdue of 2001, Krista Kober, dazzled with a vocal performance, showing that she could reach the high ranges of Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson without having to resort to his comic falsetto.

This year's Miss Purdue contest wasn't just dynamic visually and sonically, but intellectually as well. When the contestants were asked about their moral convictions, there were none of the notoriously naive responses that have been associated with pageants in the past.

Instead, participants discussed family values, poverty, the learning disabled, child abuse, cultural diversity and other important issues.

The victor was decided to be Marcy Astrup, a senior in the School of Liberal Arts.

"I've been doing these pageants for five years, so this feels great. The interview was the hardest part for me, but I really enjoyed the talent competition", she said.

Astrup will go on to compete in the Miss Indiana competition and will receive $700 in scholarships.

Beth Engerman, the Student Director, said, "The most important thing is the scholarships, but it's also important that we send a good representative from Purdue to the Miss Indiana competition."

The real highlight of the show, however, was the Master of Ceremonies, Rick Mummey, who can be heard mornings on 106.7 WGLM. Mummey interjected comic relief throughout the event. He made reference to his portly physique by saying, "Fortunately, you don't have to see me in any of these clothes."

These remarks, along with a well-placed Emeril reference, helped to decrease the pressure for the participants. "We like to try to keep things loose," he said.

Mummey probably summed up the significance of the contest best when he said, "These pageants account for $40 million in scholarships each year, and these girls are the change agents of the future."

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