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DURANT – Seventeen young women, ranging from freshmen to seniors at Durant High School, competed for the title of Miss DHS on Saturday, March 9 in the DHS Auditorium. The pageant was emceed by Courtney Maye, Miss Southeast Oklahoma.

Brittany Trent, junior, was crowned Miss DHS 2013 at the end of a very exciting evening, which began with all seventeen contestants performing the opening number to “Set It Off.”

Brittany is the daughter of Ronnie and Mandy Trent. She is very involved in Student Council, Jr. Class President, Varsity Debate Team Captain, National Youth Leadership Council Member, Oklahoma Honor Society and Superintendent’s Honor Roll. Some of Brittany’s honors include the National Society of High School Scholars, Who’s Who Among American High School Student’s, Masonic Fraternity’s Scholastic Achievement Award, Kiwanis Community Service Award, and she is Ranked No. 1 in class of 211 students.

Her future goals are to attend Northeastern Oklahoma State University and become a Doctor of Optometry. Will Engle escorted Brittany. Will is a junior and the son of Gregg and Krystal Engle. Contestants competed in Interview, Casual Wear, Talent and Evening Gown phases of competition. In order to compete, the girls had to be a student at DHS and must have maintained eligibility. However, judges were seeking to find the young woman who would conduct herself appropriately and be a role model and ambassador of Durant High School.

More than 620 tickets were sold for the event; many of those tickets were sold by the contestants themselves.

“The community support of our young people is amazing,” said Tascha Bond, DECA Advisor and Miss DHS Director. “Not only did the community attend the pageant, but they also donated great prizes to our contestants. DECA could not have made this event happen without our community.”

Brittany Trent captured the title; however, her court included First Runner-Up Brittni White, Second Runner-Up Darian Carper, Third Runner-Up Savannah Park and Fourth Runner-Up Jasmine Lozano. Darian Carper was named Miss Congeniality by a vote of her peers, as well as announced as Most Tickets Sold for her 84 pre-sold tickets prior to the event. Sydney Wheeler was named Crowd Pleaser and Parker Elliott was named Escort of the Evening, which was voted on by the escorts themselves.

“The girls did an amazing job representing our school at the second annual Miss DHS pageant,” said Bond. “They were very supportive of each other throughout the entire process. I can see that the pageant helped many of them in many different ways. They are already talking about competing next year.”

DHS Marketing and Personal Financial Literacy students were instrumental in the success of the event. They were responsible for the development of the theme, music, set décor, and the production of the event. Each class served as a committee for the Miss DHS Pageant. Those included Awards Committee, Promotion Committee, Pre-Production Committee and Production Committee. The Miss DHS pageant was a DECA fundraiser and will help further the marketing and management program, as well as help students prepare for state and national competition.

The Miss DHS pageant awards were made possible through in-kind donations from the community. Those donors included: Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Murray State College, Carl Albert State College, Eastern Oklahoma State College, Indian Nation Wholesale, Cricket Box Jewelry, Landmark Bank, First Texoma National Bank, Shamrock Bank, First United, University Auto Spa, JJ Mundi, Bliss Boutique, All About Smiles Dentistry, Brantley’s Flowers and Gifts, Studio One Photography, 1832 Steakhouse, The Oasis, Hair Repair, Salita’s, Cool Rayz, Taco Casa, JJ’s Shaved Ice, Hot Shots Coffee, Cherry Berry, Medicine Store, Marie’s, The Pink Door Boutique, Bella Rose, Merle Norman Kim Carlton, Avon Jim Coats, Imperial Barbers, Scentsy Ashley Hampton, The Hollow Tree, Cole’s Garage, Mike Turner Automotive, Roma Italian Restaurant, Old Ice House, The Spin Cycle, Blockbuster, Main Street BBQ, Wal-Mart, Chicken Express, Sheer Madness, Nails Plus, Marco’s, Merle Norman Generations, McDonald’s, Southern School of Beauty, Pizza Inn, Reflections, Whataburger, Dairy Queen, Fancy Nails, Domino’s, Trends, The Movie House, Cinemark Sherman, Okie Donuts, Friends and Company, and Smart Style.

DVDs of the Miss DHS pageant are available for purchase. Please contact Tascha Bond, DECA Advisor at 580.924.4424 or Tascha.bond@durantisd.org.