February 14 2013
rusader www.crusadernews.com
Year 44, No. 7
Presorted Standard US Postage PAID Liberal, KS Permit NO.114
Liberal, Kansas
Giovanna Baca: Miss Liberal 2013 Seward County student crowned Miss Liberal Fabi Peña Crusader staff
Valentines’ Day — Page 4B
Blanca Richard
Nicole Kirk
Demarest Wins — Page 5
Tabitha Barnett
Driver Urges No Drinking — Page 6
Kaylonni Williams
Isabella Martinez
Seward County Community College/Area Technical School student Giovanna Baca was crowned Miss Liberal at the annual pageant at the Liberal High School Maskus Auditorium Sunday. Six contestants vied for the Miss Liberal Pageant title with performances in evening wear, swimwear, talent and on-stage questions. Other SCCC/ATS students besides Baca who competed in the pageant were Blanca Richard, Nicole Kirk, Isabella Martinez and Tabitha Barnett. The other contestant, Kaylonni Williams, is an SCCC/ATS graduate who now attends Kansas State University. The judges for the pageant were Mary Crissup, Joe Dunnagan, Alicia Pitts, Leslie Hofferber and Ashlee Smart, and they had the decision of deciding who would take the crown. When awards were announced for the categories, Baca won the private interview award, the physical fitness and swimwear award, the evening wear award and the quality of life award. The artistic expression in talent award went to Barnett, and the SCCC/ATS Development Foundation awards to Barnett and Martinez. The first runner-up was Barnett and the second runner-up was Martinez. For the remaining contestants, Richard, Kirk and Williams each received a $400 scholarship for participating in the pageant. A group of audience members had Team Baca cards to wave in support of the candidate. Since Baca was a Liberal Coronado Museum Dorothy, other girls who have been Dorothys plus museum staff joined family and friends in applauding Baca’s win. Baca was no stranger to the Miss Liberal Pageant. This was her third year in the pageant. Her first year, she was second runnerup, her second year, she was first runner-up, and this year she accomplished her goal of winning the title. Baca will have the opportunity to compete in the Miss Kansas 2013 pageant in Pratt this June. The Miss Kansas pageant is associated with the Miss America pageant, and the winner for Miss Kansas will continue on to compete for the Miss America crown. The Miss Liberal pageant had special guests, such as Miss Liberal 2012, Lauren Sarchet, and Miss Kansas, Sloane Lewis, who were both present for the evening. The pageant opened with a group dance. Following the dance was the swimwear competition. In-between the contestants
clothing changes from swimwear to talent competition, there was dancing and singing by Miss Liberal 2012 Lauren Sarchet, and Dance Images’ “Tiny Troops.” During the talent portion of the pageant, Richard sang “I Ain’t in Checotah Anymore”, by Carrie Underwood. Kirk performed “I Can Only Imagine” in sign language. Williams sang “Daddy’s Hand.” “This song was played at my father’s funeral, and it always reminds me of him,” Williams mentioned. Martinez played a piano piece titled” Over the Rainbow.” Barnett sang “Mirror,” and Baca performed a tap dance. Following the talent competition, the Sunflower Princesses were introduced and each given a sash, put on by Miss Liberal and Miss Kansas. These Sunflower Princesses are from ages 5-12. They learn about leadership, citizenship, volunteerism, and shows them to have interest in the Miss Kansas programs in the future. “You have to put everything in the competition, and be as confident as you can be,” said Baca. The pageant gives women the opportunity to show their talents, build confidence and accept the responsibility to take on the role of Miss Liberal, according to Baca. During the on-stage interviews, Miss Liberal 2012, Lauren Sarchet, and Miss Kansas asked questions to the contestants such as, “What is your favorite sports team and why?” or “What is your favorite kind of cake?” After the on-stage questionnaire, Miss Kansas performed a piano piece. During the evening wear portion one-by-one the contestants were called to walk through the stage and show the judges and audience their evening gowns. Many future plans were mentioned as the women made their walks through stage. Richard plans to become a child psychiatrist. Kirk is studying to become an elementary teacher. Williams is an SCCC/ATS graduate, and plans to further her education for her Master’s degree in Food Science. Martinez plans on becoming a physical therapist. Barnett plans to obtain her Master’s in business management and marketing. Baca plans to continue her studies to obtain a medical degree to become and OB/GYN physician. This pageant consists of awards of scholarships totaling $7,000. These scholarships will help them to pursue their education. For more pictures of Miss Liberal check out the Crusader’s Facebook at Facebook.com/CrusaderNews • Photos by Jakub Stepanovic
All-Kansas Academic Team
Edson Avila Dominates — Page 8
Two Seward nursing students selected Matthew Adkins News editor
Spring Fashion — Page 1B
Crusader photo/ Matthew Adkins
Courtesy photo
Liberty Brown is one of the AllKansas Academic Team. She is a nursing student, a mother and Phi Theta Kappa member.
Marivell Mendoza is one of the All Kansas Academic Team. Mendoza is involved with SNA and is president of Pathways.
Two Seward County Community College/Area Technical School students will be honored in Topeka today with college students from other Kansas community colleges as part of the All-Kansas Academic Team. Marivell Mendoza and Liberty Brown were chosen to attend the ceremony in Topeka based on their high academic achievement and their involvement in numerous student organizations. Both achieve near perfect grades and are both in the nursing program at SCCC/ATS. Besides Mendoza and Brown, students from 18 other community colleges in Kansas have been named to the 2013 All-
Kansas Academic Team. All of these students, including Mendoza and Brown, are eligible to be part of the 2013 All-USA Academic Team. Three national teams and more than 500 community college students will compete for places on one of the teams. Those that get a spot in the first team will receive $2,500 stipends. All members of each of the three teams will be featured in USA Today. Brown and Mendoza were both somewhat surprised to be chosen to represent SCCC/ATS. “Honestly, it’s kind of surreal. I don’t think that what I did was that big of a deal. I can’t believe it’s happening. I am very honored,” Brown said. In addition to being a student, Brown is also a mother, a Phi
Theta Kappa member and works as a CNA/CMA. She says she wants to further her career and is considering becoming a nursing practitioner. Mendoza is the president of Pathways and the treasurer of Student Nurses Association. She lives out of town and commutes to school every day and says that it’s one of the reasons why she is surprised to be honored. “I’ve always worked hard at everything I do. I try to participate in as much as I can but because I live out of town I may not participate in activities like fundraisers very much. But I try to participate in as many activities as I can,” Mendoza said. Mendoza and Brown will both graduate in the May with degrees in nursing.