Miss NOC Tonkawa crowned

Tara Fredrick of Lamont was named Miss Northern Oklahoma College Tonkawa 2017 at the dual Miss NOC Tonkawa-Miss NOC Enid Scholarship Pageant at NOC Tonkawa Oct. 18.

Crowned by Miss NOC Tonkawa 2016 Shelby Cargill of Perry, the 21-year-old sophomore received a $1000 scholarship expense award, Miss America crown and pin, sash and a bouquet of long-stemmed red roses. She will advance to the Miss Oklahoma Scholarship Pageant in Tulsa next June, according to Shannon Bradford, director of the Miss NOC Pageant.

Miss Fredrick entered the pageant, her first, because “I could bring something to the table that the judges hadn’t seen before. My best friend Marché (Johnson) encouraged me. She is a great motivator in my life.”

Hearing her name announced as winner, she felt “utter disbelief. I feel very blessed and extremely thankful to get the opportunity to spread the [positive body] image.”

First runner-up Kristen Hooper of Ponca City, a 19-year-old freshman majoring in pre-medicine, received a $600 scholarship expense award. In the artistic expression portion of the pageant, Miss Hooper performed a tap dance to “Putting on the Ritz,” a song first introduced in a musical film in 1930. Her platform issue was “Child Abuse Prevention”.

Second runner-up Kady Bonifield of Newkirk received a $400 scholarship expense award.

Others vying for the title were Shelby Cosby, Kingston; Raegan Mach, Tonkawa; and Emma Wilson, Bristow. Each received a $250 tuition waiver participation award.

Contestants were judged in lifestyle and fitness in swimwear, artistic expression, presence and poise in evening wear and on-stage question. Earlier in the day they were individually interviewed by the judges.

In the artistic expression portion of the pageant, Miss Fredrick sang “Try,” a number focusing on overcoming peer pressure, body image and conquering one’s greatest enemies.

During her reign as Miss NOC Tonkawa, she will promote her platform issue, “Positive Body Image,” geared toward restoring confidence and awakening individuality in woman of all ages throughout America. She chose the issue because body image is an issue close to her heart. “I personally struggled with it. I feel it is something that needs to be worked on. All women need to be encouraged in that area, especially young women.”

She plans to create a traveling “Girls’ Retreat” to promote her platform issue and hopes to change the prevailing view that the Miss America Pageant is just a beauty pageant. “Miss America, by my standards is an opportunity for extraordinary young women to showcase their talents and passions to represent an American core belief to help those in need,” she said.

The second consecutive mass communications major to win the title, the new Miss NOC Tonkawa hopes to pursue a career as a traveling missionary and motivational speaker.

She is the daughter of Brad and Gina Fredrick of Lamont and the granddaughter of Marilyn and Ernie Fredrick, Medford. She has three sisters, Rachael Fredrick of Lamont; Kelsey Wagner, Ponca City; and Amber Richards, Enid.

Edward Dixon, NOC Fine Arts faculty, served as master of ceremonies for the evening. Miss Oklahoma 2016 Sarah Klein, spoke about her platform, “Supporting Our Troops from Deployment to Employment,” spreading the importance of “taking care of our military men and women who have done so much for us.” An accomplished pianist, she entertained the audience by performing “Carmen Fantasy Variations”.

Special entertainment was by Cargill, singing “Not for the Life of Me,” from the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie; and Dixon, singing “God Bless the USA”.

Contestant escorts were NOC Roustabouts Michael Meador, Blackwell, and Christian Searle, Ponca City. Escorting the Miss NOC 2016 royalty as they made their farewell walks were Oklahoma Stars Hope Bradford, Tonkawa, with Miss Cargill, and Paityn Sunderland, Enid, and Lanie Ginder, Cherokee, with Miss NOC Enid Sage Sunderland. NOC President Dr. Cheryl Evans presented official portraits to Miss Cargill and Miss Sunderland.