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TUESDAY OCTOBER 2, 2018
134th YEAR ISSUE 10
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
Bulldog Bash 2018
Beth Wynn | Courtesy Photo
Top finalists for the pageant were third runner up Leah A. Boyd (left), second runner up Rachel K. Shumaker, Miss MSU Hannah Oliver and first runner up Sydney E. Slocum.
Hannah Oliver crowned Miss MSU JENNA SCHMIDT
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
When Hannah Oliver, a junior fashion merchandising major from Stuttgart, Arkansas, heard her name called as the 2018 Miss MSU winner, she said it was a dream come true. “I have dreamed of being Miss MSU since my freshman year,” said Oliver, “When they called my name, my dream became a reality. I just felt so joyful and thankful for the opportunity to represent and give back to the university that has given so much to me.” Women across Mississippi State University’s campus compete for the title of Miss MSU for several reasons. One is to move on to compete for the title of Miss Mississippi, and then possibly for Miss America. Unknown to many is the other reason: to promote their personal platform. Oliver’s platform, called
“Multiple Sclerosis: Taking Steps Toward a Cure,” involves creating awareness and advocating for those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. Her grandfather was diagnosed with MS in 1980, and his journey inspired Oliver to fight for others who have the same diagnosis. To promote her platform and receive her crown, Oliver went through five phases of competition: an interview with the judging panel, the swimsuit round, the evening wear round, the on-stage question and the talent portion. Brad Hill, assistant director for Student Activities and director of the Miss MSU Scholarship Program, gave some insight into what it takes to succeed in each round. The interview, which occurs prior to the pageant itself, is where the competitors sit down with the judges to express themselves and their individual platforms. MISS MSU, 2
Read the full story on Page 3 Lindsay Pace | The Reflector
Tyson Ritter of The All-American Rejects performs a song during Bulldog Bash Saturday evening. The band was this year’s headliner.
NPHC starts mentoring program Pink Dawg Walk at elementary school in Starkville raises awareness KAT BOWMAN STAFF WRITER
The National PanHellenic Council at Mississippi State University created a new mentorship program with Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary School. The Henderson Ward Mentoring Program has 33 third and fourth graders paired with 33 mentors who spend two days per week meeting with the students. Michayla Mack, president of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., mentors with the program and said the students they assist have math, reading or behavioral issues. “They don’t really have positive role models outside of school,” Mack, a junior psychology major, said. “That’s where we kind of come in to help give them a positive role model. We
TUESDAY HI: 87 LO: 69 SKY: Partly cloudy POP: 30
Eric Lucas | Courtesy Photo
Mentors for a new Starkville program strive to be role models for elementary-school students.
help them with some work, have fun, if anything’s going on at home, they can talk to me.” One of the weekly meetings is a one-on-one session with the student
WEDNESDAY HI: 88 LO: 69 SKY: Mostly sunny POP: 10
and mentor, and the other is a group meeting with all of the students and mentors. Eric Lucas, president of NPHC and director and founder of the program,
THURSDAY HI: 88 LO: 68 SKY: Mostly sunny POP: 0
spoke on what happens in the group meetings. “If some kids need to make up work, they do,” said Lucas, a junior biomedical engineering major. “But, for the most part, we have fun. We let them let loose a little bit and show them we’re not all sticklers.” Henderson Ward Stewart Elementary School is 75 percent AfricanAmerican, Lucas said. He said it is important the students have role models with whom they can relate. “The reason why NPHC took this initiative first off is because there’s honestly a lack of positive influential African-American role models,” Lucas said. “Henderson Ward reached out to us trying to confront that issue.” Mack echoed this and stressed the importance role models have on a student’s success. NPHC, 2
FORECAST: Our last chance for rain will leave the region Tuesday. A ridge of high pressure will develop during the second half of the week, which will bring us above average temperatures to last through the weekend. Jacob Lawrence, Campus Connect Meteorologist
for breast cancer
anyone can participate in the walk. “This event is a fun way to spread awareness about the prevention and early detection of breast cancer, while we are also celebrating survivors,” Baker said. “It is a great event that people from campus and families from the community can both enjoy.” To Baker, the walk is more than spreading awareness for the disease, it is also a way for her to honor people close to her heart. “Many people know of someone who has had breast cancer, but it becomes very personal when you can put a name of someone you love to it,” Baker said.
KATIE POE
NEWS EDITOR
Mississippi State University will start October, breast cancer awareness month, off with its sixth annual Pink Dawg Walk, where survivors and supporters will walk around Chadwick Lake to recognize the disease and those it affects. The free event kicks off at 4 p.m. Thursday, at the walking track around the lake, which is next to the Sanderson Center. JuLeigh Baker, who manages the event and is a health and wellness educator for University Health Services, said
WALK, 2
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