Event management class hosts pageant to benefit SAPA

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Instead of the dueling pianos at Coco Joe’s, pageant participants dueled for the title of Miss Fall Classic.

The event was hosted as part of a RPL 430: Planning Recreation Programs and Events class.

Clinton Township junior Erica Sell, one of the student organizers, said after spending the semester learning about how to organize, manage and create an event, her group created the pageant to benefit a campus organization.

About 150 people attended the event, which raised $1,000 for the student organization, Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates.

“We knew that after SAPA lost their grant they were struggling, so we decided that all the proceeds would go back to them,” Sell said.

The 10 girls that entered the pageant were rated on scale from one to 10 in three rounds; CMU spirit wear, talent, and formal gown wear with a question and answer section.

The event also had a raffle ticket sale to raise additional funds and featured a performance by the a capella group On the Rox.

“I knew one of the girls in the event class, so I decided to get involved,” said Jackson senior Lindsay Adams. “I’ve never done a pageant before so this was an opportunity to do something I normally wouldn’t have.”

Because the pageant had a laid-back atmosphere, the contestants were able to have fun and be themselves, said Grand Rapids sophomore Caitlin Rempalski.

Mount Pleasant freshman Michael Marker came to the event to support his friend who was in the pageant.

“I’m just glad to see that the money they raise goes to something with a purpose,” Marker said.

Marquette senior Erin Bertram won the title of Miss Fall Classic and Rempalski was the runner-up.

Sell said  it blew her mind how many people came out and supported the event and SAPA.  She said they can now use the money toward presentations to the incoming freshmen.