McClendon crowned Miss TAMUK 2022
The curtains drew as the contestants walked onstage for the final time. The lights shined down as Cassandra Gomez and Jacqueline McClendon the last two finalists held hands waiting for the announcement. “Your 2022 Miss TAMUK is … Jacqueline McClendon.” The crowd cheered as she stepped forward to accept the crown.
Texas A&M University- Kingsville (TAMUK) hosted its annual Miss TAMUK Scholarship Pageant. Sophomore Business Marketing major McClendon was crowned this year’s winner. The casino themed pageant was hosted by Student Engagement and Campus Life Saturday, April 9 at Jones Auditorium.
“As a student at TAMUK your voice needs to be heard and the job of Miss TAMUK is to not only to represent yourself but to represent the full student body, and it’s important that whenever you talk or whenever you handle certain issues that you understand you represent more than yourself,” McClendon said. “It is important that the students have someone to look up to so that they can have a leader and someone to show them an example on how to be a good student on this campus.”
The top three finalists included: second runner up Amberly Zaragoza, who was awarded a scholarship of $750, first runner up Cassandra Gomez, who was awarded a scholarship of $1,200 and Miss TAMUK McClendon who was awarded a $2,000 scholarship and crown.
The Miss TAMUK Pageant is a tradition hosted every spring by TAMUK. This year a group of nine ladies competed for the title.
“I encourage you to do it. When I ran for Miss TAMUK back in 2018 I definitely had no pageant experience.w I thought of it as a scholarship opportunity and I was like you know what I’m just gonna go for it, and obviously I didn’t win, but like the other candidates and the candidates who come through every single year it’s just a learning experience,” Campus Activities Coordinator Julianne Gomez said. “It’s opportunities for you to grow as a person and then also to get those communication and leadership skills and just meeting other women on campus who are also wanting to go through those challenges you know and those things that they want to face.”
Pageant rankings are determined by a rubric including panel interview, public speaking (a memorized speech) and evening gown walk. Each contestant must also hold and maintain a GPA of 2.75.
Aside from the Miss TAMUK court, there are three other awards given. Miss Photogenic, awarded to Kristen Almendarez whose photo is voted on by the panel of judges; Miss Congeniality, Mariah Mercado, who was most approachable and voted on by the contestants themselves; and Miss Lantana, McClendon, who stood out during the evening gown portion of the pageant
“As a senior I gained a lot of things. I gained more friendships people that I want to pursue a career with. We have met many goals throughout this beautiful pageant and these are friendships that they’re never gonna die,” Miss TAMUK contestant senior Agriculture Education major Daniela Urbano said.
Miss TAMUK 2021-2022 senior Biology major Hannah Sorenson had her final walk and crowned McClendon.
