50th Miss Bengal 2015, Rosman High School

ROSMAN, NC (January 19, 2015): On Monday night, January 19, Rosman High School celebrated its 50th annual Miss Bengal pageant. There couldn't be a better night for celebrating passionate students and future leaders in our schools.

 

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.”

 

Rosman High School offers numerous programs targeting character education, both as part the curriculum and through clubs and service opportunities. The 50-year history of the Miss Bengal Pageant is one way Rosman High has reinforced the importance of character. The pageant has long taken place on the Monday night of semester break (with a Saturday snow date) for a variety of reasons.

 

Participants are evaluated on their talent, poise, future plans, and comportment: many of the things colleges and employers look for in our graduates, and their future students or employees.

 

This year's participants were:

Abby Buchanan ('18)

Blakely Owen ('16)

Madison Gingrich ('15)

Emma Henderson ('18)

Alexandria Galloway ('16)

Olivia Bishop ('16)

Robin Crowe ('17)

Jacey Voris ('15)

Claire Harris ('15)

Cassidy Knye ('16)

Madison Allen ('18)

Megan Brightwell ('16)

Shaylon Combs ('16)

Carli Batson ('15)

Hayleigh Mann ('15)

 

These highly-committed students, and many attendees, keep very busy schedules with school and extracurriculars, so the night is kept free for this special event, and tickets sell out weeks in advance.

 

The opening introduction and crowning were performed by Miss Bengal 2014, senior Hannah Reese. Former “Bengal” winners Loretta Sanders, Emily Reese Jones, Missy West, and Ashley Harris all emceed portions of the evening, from interviews and school dress, to the talent and evening gown competitions. Past winners Ashleigh Jamerson (Bengal ’12) and Hannah Reese performed talent at the intermissions as well.

 

RHS principal Donivan Edwards noted that, with a teacher workday scheduled before and after, students and staff had the run of the stage and school, setting up the elaborate stage design. Tammy Hall, teacher and pageant organizer, further explained how “Bengal” fits into Rosman High’s vision for character:

 

“I truly believe that Bengal is a very positive activity for the young women at Rosman High School. Bengal promotes community service, it builds character and confidence, and it allows students to reflect on who they are and what is important to them. The girls get to form relationships with people that they may not normally get to spend time with and they get to share their talent with everyone. Additionally, it provides a scholarship to the winner if they further their education after high school.

 

“I believe that Bengal does exactly what Mr. King was talking about in the quote mentioned above.”

 

The panel of judges included Dustin Cox, Jeremy Gibbs, Melody Gorman, Judy Edwards, and Tammy Reeves Duffy.

 

On the same night, RHS students also led the way during MLK activities centered around Brevard College. Rosman Middle and High chorus teacher Grayson Barton shared that Anna Carrillo (RHS ’16) and Casey Mesaeh (RHS ’15) both sang at Brevard College's MLK Celebration on Monday, January 19, at the Porter Center: “It was a big performance for them, and they both did an outstanding job!”

 

© 2015, Transylvania County Schools. All rights reserved.

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