Utah State shows diversity in pageant

As the “Heaven Hop” music started, from the Broadway show “Anything Goes,” the mood was set by her skintight, red, sparkly, below-the-knee, spaghetti-strap dress. As she started her number, her white angel wings and the furry white halo above her head fluttered with the music and the beat of her tap shoes.

After a brief intermission she came back on, this time without the wings and halo, but sporting a dance partner for her energetic merengue number.

This act, put on by Ana Hodgson, was only one of many numbers Wednesday night.

Dancing, singing and proudly displaying their heritage, nine women representing eight countries came together on one stage for one purpose: the prestigious Miss Diversity 2003-04 title.

The participants were judged on their talents, formal wear and an essay handed in with their application.

Each also had a private five-minute interview with all of the judges the day before the show.

“I couldn’t pick a favorite,” said judge Suzanne Johnson. “They are all incredible women.”

The judges represented the community, faculty, students, multicultural center and the international students.

Juan Franco, vice president of student services and one of the seven judges, said, “We often joked that all nine girls were winners this year.”

Another judge was International Student Council President Mike Addo, who said he was something that the audience “hasn’t seen before.”

This was the pageant’s “fourth and best year,” said Ernesto Lopez, president of the Hispanic Student Union. The HSU usually runs the event with the assistance of the reigning Miss Diversity, but this year the Diversity Committee helped, too.

The night started with comments from hosts, Dan and Ragnar, who also hosted the Mr. USU pageant. The girls were introduced, and one by one they took the stage dressed in clothes from their country.

They then went on to the talents which included traditional dances, poems, singing and photography.

The traditional Polynesian dance performed by Susiane Siulua drew a large audience response with applause, whistles and cheers.

Mexican Fabiola Nevarez displayed her photography and recited a poem.

“I wasn’t really nervous,” Nevarez said.

Tyson Eyre, a freshman majoring in business management, said, “I just came to see who would win, but I also wanted to cheer for Fabiola because she is one of the coolest Mexican girls I know.”

The girls were then brought out in their formal wear and were each asked a question by a randomly selected judge. The questions mainly dealt with obstacles that multicultural students face and how to better promote diversity, gender and culture.

The winners and Miss Diversity were then announced.

Siulua was the third runner-up, Nevarez was second, Noemi Rubio, also from Mexico, was first and Hodgson representing Nicaragua was this year’s Miss Diversity.

“I was shocked [when they called my name],” Hodgson said. “My parents definitely helped instill cultural values in me by taking me to Nicaragua to visit my grandparents every summer, reading literature and poetry by Nicaraguan authors, and celebrating holidays in the traditional style.”

As Miss Diversity, Hodgson says she plans to use her title as a chance to help set up educational programs and get involved with the community. She also said she loves kids, and wants to educate youth about her culture.

-vramirez@cc.usu.edu-lindsaykite@cc.usu.edu