April McCuen Crowned Miss Parade Of Favorites At Lee

April McCuen, a junior Communications major from Taylors, S.C., was crowned Miss Parade of Favorites 2002 at the Lee University Conn Center.

April Noel McCuen represented the Lee Singers. She is the daughter of Reverend and Mrs. Bob McCuen of Taylors, S.C. She is a junior Communications major with emphasis in Public Relations. While at Lee, she has been involved in Lee Singers, is a member of Second Edition, and is a section leader for Lee Singers' soprano section. She has also participated in Lee Singers' international tours to South Africa, England, and Scotland.

She is the Vice President for the Public Relations Student Society of America. She also volunteers at the Cleveland Boys and Girls' Club and Backyard Ministries program. She was escorted by Steve Henson. For her talent, she sang "There Will Come A Day."

Along side McCuen was Elicia Brown, first runner-up, Rachael DiGiulio, second runner-up, and Amy Richardson, third runner up. Brown also received the Kay McDaniel Woman of Achievement Award, while Richardson received the Talent Award. McCuen received the Interview Award, DiGiulio received the Miss Congeniality Award and Escort Jamie Eilf received the Escort Award.

Elicia Brown represented Sigma Nu Sigma. She is the daughter of David and Yasmin Brown of Cincinnati, Ohio. She is a senior, majoring in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and Advertising. She is a member of the Voices of Lee, President of UMOJA, and a member Sigma Nu Sigma. She is also a little sister for Upsilon Xi. While at Lee, she has participated in the Peer Leaders Program. She will be graduating in May 2002. She was escorted by Grant Meyers. For her talent, she sang "You'll Never Walk Alone."

Rachael Rae DiGiulio represented Upsilon Xi. She is the daughter of Peter and Jean DiGiulio of Chicago, Illinois. She is a senior Human Development major. While at Lee, she has been involved as the President of Omega Alpha Phi, a Lil Sis for Upsilon Xi, a member of Advancement Force, and as a Peer Leader for the Gateway Program in the Office of First Year Programs, as well as playing intramural sports. She also participated in the Cambridge Program 2001 and was crowned Homecoming Queen 2001. She was escorted by Stephen LaMagna. For her talent, she sang "Someone to Watch Over Me."

Amy Kay Richardson represented Delta Zeta Tau. She is the daughter of Frank and Barbara McBride of Galax, Virginia. She is married to Jeremi Richardson and they reside in Cleveland, Tenn. She is a senior, majoring in Telecommunications. While at Lee, she has served as the ensemble director for Pure Heart Ladies' Ensemble and as a member of Power Unlimited. She is also a member of Delta Zeta Tau and a former member of Campus Choir. She was escorted by J.J. Perez. For her talent, she sang "Sarah Lee."

The other participants included Meghan Hamilton, Haven Hendrix, Autumn Wiggins, Lindsey Caldwell, Lacey Mashburn, Beck Basdeo, Kathryn Banks, and Deborah Tuff.

Elizabeth Schillo was this year's director. She was assisted by Heather Liles. Wencke Becker was Director of Public Relations and Byron Whittington was the Director of Finance. Meredith Kinney was the Director of Choreography. Executive Director of the pageant was Mike Hayes, Director of Student Development. Assisting Hayes were Alan McClung, Dean of Students, and Donna Dixon. The judges were Ren Cable, Rocky Chavis, JoAnn Lowery, Julie Sanders and Reggie Waddell.

This year's Parade of Favorites featured Dr. Michael Laney, an Assistant Professor of Communications, as Master of Ceremonies, and Carrie Workman, a Lee University Admissions Counselor, as Mistress of Ceremonies.

A tradition of the school since the 1960s, the Parade of Favorites began as a non-competitive representation of Lee's clubs. A few years later, it became a pageant enabling the contestants to win prizes. As in recent years, the Parade of Favorites will focus more on talent. Most of the categories have been adapted from the Miss America Program, giving Lee a possible chance to send a representative to the Miss Tennessee pageant.