The talents are chosen, the evening wear is hanging in the closest, and the contestants are ready for the stage.
The Dixie State D-Queen pageant will be held in the Cox Auditorium on April 9 at 7:30 p.m. The pageant is being put on by the student government and is one of the longest D-Week traditions the school has.
DSU Student Association Public Chair Shaelie Knutson, a junior communication major from Preston, Idaho, said the D-Queen pageant is less formal than Miss Dixie, the other pageant the school puts on during the year. The low-key atmosphere opens up the door for all kinds of participants and all kinds of talents.
“The non-traditional pageant girls is what makes the night so much fun,” Knutson said.
Contestant Lindsley Miller, a junior psychology major from Taylorsville, said she can’t wait to perform her talent for the audience.
“I am going to do the Harlem Shake,” Miller said. “It is something different from the normal talents that happen during a pageant.”
Knutson and Miller both said that the “chill” atmosphere associated with the D-Queen pageant is why so many girls like to participate.
“It doesn’t matter about size, shape or what your face looks like,” Miller said. “All of the contestants are here for fun.”
Each contestant must write an essay dealing with service in the community and what each girl loves about Dixie, as well as fill out a resume and maintain a high grade point average.
“Celebration” is the theme of the pageant this year, and every contestant was required to write an essay of how they would keep the spirit of Dixie alive after the school has become a university.
While the scholarship is nice, most girls are competing because they have a passion and love for Dixie.
“I love Dixie, so I thought why not compete?” said contestant Gabbie Holbrook, a sophomore communication major from Taylorsville. “This pageant is all about school spirit.”
Knutson said student government wanted to highlight the Dixie spirit this year because of the transition to university status
“Student government wants to keep the passion alive,” Knutson said. “The D-Queen pageant is a great example of how we make it stay on campus.”
The D-Queen pageant started in 1914 to increase school spirit through the campus and the community. Seven Dixie State students will be competing for the title, and the winner will be awarded a $500 scholarship provided by the Dixie State University Alumni Association.
