Lee University will present its annual student talent showcase known as Parade of Favorites Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Conn Center.
This year’s theme is focused on trending topics based on social media. The director for the event is Alyssa Oliver.
"It is such an honor to be directing POF this year,” said Ms. Oliver. “Our contestants and escorts have worked so hard and I know it's going to be such a fun show."
The 10 contestants represent various student organizations at Lee, including the Greek service clubs and the Student Leadership Council.
Deborah Adebayo, a sophomore biological science pre-med major from Lagos, Nigeria, will represent the Student Leadership Council. Her platform is the World Medical Missions project of the Samaritan’s Purse. She will be escorted by Adam Nies. Ms. Adebayo has been involved with Student Leadership Council, Diversity Council, WASA (World African Student Association), Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, Tri Beta biology honors society, and Apha Phi Delta pre-med honors society. Her plans for the future include traveling to other countries and working in the medical field.
Representing Alpha Gamma Chi, along with her escort Clayton Thompson, Janie Evans is a senior telecommunications major from Huntsville, Ala. Her platform is Far Flung Tin Can, a local nonprofit that supports missionaries by documenting their work through video and other various mediums. While at Lee, Ms. Evans has been involved with the Campus Choir, Delta Zeta Tau, and Chapel Band. She plans to continue studying photography and to pursue a career in music and ministry in worship leadership.
Elisabeth Grimes is a senior interdisciplinary studies major with a teachers licensure K-6 from Athens, Ga. She will represent Upsilon Xi, escorted by Daniel Koukol. Her platform is Helping Paws Healing Hearts Grief Camp, which caters to kids who are dealing with the loss of a loved one. Ms. Grimes has been involved with Delta Zeta Tau, Student Leadership Council, Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society, Impact Camp Counselor, and is a member of the Cornerstone Church of God worship team. She plans to teach in order to make an impact on the literacy of the next generation.
Representing Theta Delta Kappa, along with her escort Mickey Hungate, Megan Jafari is a junior public relations major from Nashville, Tenn. Her platform is based on helping inner-city kids through the ministry Hope Camp. Ms. Jafari has been involved with Epsilon Lambda Phi, the Image Step Team, Theta Delta Kappa, and Big Pal Little Pal. In the future, she hopes to work in the music business in radio or live production.
Representing Epsilon Lambda Phi, with James Turner as her escort, Christina Lee is a senior middle grades education major from Louisville, Ky. Her platform is based around helping underprivileged children through the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. She has also been involved at Lee through Upsilon Xi and Women’s Rugby. Lee hopes to teach in an inner city middle school and coach soccer or rugby.
Representing Pi Kappa Pi, Hannah Lethbridge is a senior public relations major from South Bend, Ind. Her platform is the nonprofit humanitarian organization People for Care and Learning. Lethbridge has been involved in Epsilon Lambda Phi, Public Relations Student Society of America, and is a member of the College Republicans. She hopes to travel abroad and work in her field of study, as well as possibly adopt a child one day. She will be escorted by Ben Kirk.
Olivia Looney is a senior digital media studies major from Charleston, S.C., representing Omega Alpha Phi, along with her escort J.J. Williamson. Her platform is the Make-A-Wish foundation, whom she has a connection with because of her employment with the Walt Disney Company. Looney has also been involved with Theta Delta Kappa, Lambda Pi Eta, Campus Choir, LeeUpdate, and the Admissions Office A-Force team. In the future, she hopes to host her own talk show or work in the mainstream media where she can talk, perform, travel, and meet new people.
Representing Zeta Chi Lambda, along with her escort Devon Hardin, Katie McConnell is a junior communications major with an emphasis in advertising. Katie is from Hiawassee, Ga. and her platform is based on caring for orphans directly with the Haiti Home of Hope. McConnell has been involved at Lee through Peer Leading, Alpha Chi, and Lambda Pi Eta. She hopes to one day work at an advertising agency.
Morgan Parks will represent Sigma Nu Sigma, with Jonathan Berry as her escort. Ms. Parks is a senior public relations major from Miamisburg, Ohio. Her platform is the Zion Project, a local organization that raises awareness of sex trafficking. Parks has been involved with PRSSA, Big Pal Little Pal, Young Life, and Campus Crusade for Christ. In the future, she plans to work in some aspect of the public relations field.
Diana Stevenson, a senior public relations major from Ottawa Lake, Mich., will represent Delta Zeta Tau. Ms. Stevnson has also been involved with Upsilon Xi, PRSSA, Make-A-Wish Foundation, PRSSA Bateman team, and the Lee University Community Relations office. She plans to work in the public relations field and in ministry, as well as travel as much as possible. Her escort will be Dug Westover and her platform is The Daughter Project, an organization that restores adolescent women recovering from human trafficking.
The event is free and open to the public. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, please contact the Lee University Office of Student Development at 614-8406.