Murray Journal August

Contestants Gearing up for Miss Murray Pageant
Erin McShay
August 2009





All summer long, 13 young women have been hard at work rehearsing for the Miss Murray Pageant, which will take place on Sept. 12 in the Murray High School auditorium. The ladies have been practicing their acts for the talent competition, the main number and brushing up on current events as they will be interviewed by judges and asked an on stage question on current affairs.

“It’s been really fun,” said contestant Amanda Airment. “I really wanted to do this because Murray is such a great community, and I want to be a part of it as much as possible.”

The contest is open to women between the ages of 17 to 24 and the only condition is that participants must reside in Murray.

The Miss Murray Pageant is part of the Miss America organization, which pageant director Leesa Lloyd has been involved with for over 35 years. Lloyd, a dance and sociology teacher at the Murray High School, got involved with the pageant scene because her mother Sandra Lloyd was the pageant director for the Miss Riverton contest for over 17 years. Leesa Lloyd choreographed the pageant in Riverton and then moved over to Murray’s in 1995.

“It’s really great to see the girls grow and develop,” said Lloyd. “More often than not the girls come out of the pageant saying what a great experience it was.”

The girls will be judged 30 percent on their talent, 35 percent on their interview skills, 15 percent on evening wear, 15 percent on swim suit wear, and 5 percent for their on stage question. After totalling all their numbers, the judges rank their top five in order.

Most young women are encouraged to enter because of the scholarships awarded to the winners. Miss Murray receives $2,600, first runner up receives $800, second place $600, third place $400, fourth place $200 and Miss Congeniality receives $100. The pageant received $4,100 from Murray City.

“We really have a great relationship with the city,” Lloyd said. “Mayor Dan Snarr has been tremendous and the council has been very supportive.”

The pageant will include a Little Miss Murray contest where girls ages 7-9 compete by drawing a picture of why Murray is the greatest city in America. A woman’s achievement award will also be presented to a woman who has contributed to the Murray community.