Online Desk
Helen McDougald was crowned 2020 Most Beautiful yesterday at the 69th annual Parade of Beauties.
McDougald, a sophomore allied health studies major from Tupelo, is a transfer student from Itawamba Community College. To her, winning was very rewarding given that this was her first time competing in the pageant.
“I was so nervous, and when they called my number (as the winner), I was like, ‘really, me?’ and had to look around to make sure,” McDougald said.
McDougald said that she enjoyed the Parade of Beauties experience because she was able to meet so many girls that she wouldn’t have met otherwise.
“It’s safe to say that this was more than just prep for this weekend and be done with it,” McDougald said.
Associated Student Body President Barron Mayfield was one of the presenters for the Parade of Beauties, along with 2019’s Most Beautiful Hannah Perrigin. Mayfield said he enjoyed the event, adding that he’s hoping to be asked back to host next year.
“Hosting the Parade of Beauties might have been the most fun thing I have gotten to do as ASB President,” Mayfield said. “Before this I had never even seen a pageant of any kind, so it was really cool to get to be a part of the excitement and the competition and everything.”
Karson Thomas, a senior psychology major, was one of the co-directors of pageants for the Student Activities Association (SAA). Before serving as co-director, Thomas started out as a pageant committee member when she first joined SAA.
“I got to help with all the behind the scenes, like helping prepare to get the girls on stage,” Thomas said. “It’s really cool, and I’ve really enjoyed getting to know all the girls.”
McDougald said that she took Perrigin’s advice from last year, and would recommend it to anyone who competes in Parade of Beauties in the future.
“Like our previous Most Beautiful said, be confident in yourself,” McDougald said. “Just be yourself and be confident.”
