Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) senior Brianna Rodriguez was crowned 2019-2020 Miss TAMUK at the annual scholarship pageant held Saturday, April 13.
Miss TAMUK is a time-honored scholarship pageant that has been hosted by the university for more than three decades. Each year, 14 TAMUK students compete to be the next Miss TAMUK for the opportunity to win a $2,000 scholarship and serve as a representative of the university.
To determine the winner of the pageant, contestants are judged on an interview they have with the judges the afternoon of the pageant, the speech they give the night of the pageant, their evening gown and, if needed, a tie-breaker which is based on their casual wear outfit.
Based on their scores in the previous segments, the top five candidates are announced. These candidates are all asked the same question which they must answer in front of the audience and judges. Whomever scores highest in this category will end up being the next Miss TAMUK.
This year’s winner is Business Management senior Rodriguez. For her, receiving the title of the 2019-2020 Miss TAMUK was surreal.
“I keep waiting to look around and see who’s going to pinch me so I can wake up. But, it’s a blessing and I’m glad for every step of it. It’s a lot of work and I’m glad that it’s something that I went through. It’s helped me grow…It’s awesome and I’m excited to represent our school and [the] Javelina Nation,” Rodriguez said.
As Miss TAMUK, Rodriguez will be a representative of the university by speaking, participating and volunteering at university and community events.
Alongside Rodriguez, other contestants won awards at the 2019 Miss TAMUK pageant. The fourth runner-up was Agriculture Science student Ydanissa Gonzalez. Agriculture Science student Amanda Mascorro won Miss Photogenic. This award is given to the contestant whose photos from the night of the pageant are voted as the best by the judges. Mascorro was also the third runner-up in the pageant.
The second runner-up was Talia Hernandez. As second runner-up Hernandez won a $750 scholarship.
First runner-up Justine Moreno, a Communication Sciences and Disorders graduate student, won a $1,200 scholarship. Moreno also won Miss Lantana, an award that is given to the contestant who shines the brightest during the evening gown portion of the pageant. Moreno also won Miss Congeniality. Miss Congeniality is picked by each contestant based on who is most fun to be around, who is most helpful and friendliness.
“I was really surprised. I obviously was kind throughout the pageant, but I didn’t think I was going to get Miss Congeniality, so that was a shocker and Miss Lantana, too. I think I came into this pageant just to have fun. I really wasn’t expecting anything, so that was very rewarding,” Moreno said.
Rodriguez will be succeeding the 2018-2019 Miss TAMUK Darcy Guerrero. In her final walk as Miss TAMUK, Guerrero had an audio track playing thanking her family and friends and reflecting on her time as Miss TAMUK.
“Whether it be this year or years later, I will use this lifelong experience to continue growing as an individual. Above all, I aspire to be more than just someone who has held a title and crown, but to be an inspiration to other young women and to leave a legacy behind that has made an impact in the lives of others. As I look back upon my year as Miss TAMUK 2018, I am blessed to say I did it,” Guerrero said as she made her final walk.