Stilwell sophomore Tawnie Goodwin named Miss NSU

As one of eight contestants in the Miss Northeastern State University pageant, Stilwell sophomore Tawnie Goodwin didn't believe she had any angles on her competition.

"I would make a terrible judge," said Goodwin. "All the girls are so incredibly talented and accomplished, it would be impossible for me to make those decisions."

But at the conclusion of the pageant on Nov. 5 at the Tahlequah High School Performing Arts Center, the judges awarded Goodwin the crown.

"Of course I was shocked," she said. "The judges could have made several wonderful choices and I am ecstatic they chose me to represent my community."

By being named Miss NSU, Goodwin received a $1,600 tuition waiver, a $250 cash scholarship, a $250 sitting at Kane Studios and $100 in prizes. She won another $100 cash scholarship for winning the talent competition.

A performance of Claude Debussy's Arabesque No. 1 on piano earned Goodwin the overall talent title.

"My dad put me in piano lessons when I was in kindergarten," said Goodwin. "He said 'When you turn 50, you are not going to be able to play softball anymore.' I fell in love with it and have been playing ever since. I find Debussy's first Arabesque elegant."

Goodwin chose "Healthy Mind and Body" as her platform issue. She said a person's productivity and countenance are negatively affected when a person is not healthy physically and mentally.

"I chose my platform because it was applicable to every person in America today," she said. "If we are not healthy, happy and whole, we are unable to help anyone else. Further, if I change one person's life through this experience I will be satisfied because that person may change hundreds of lives through their profession."

As an NSU student, Goodwin is a dietetics major, a member of the President's Leadership Class, on the President's Honor Roll and is director of student affairs for the Northeastern Student Government Association. She is also vice chair of the Mr. NSU pageant and vice chair of the exposure committee for the Northeastern Activities Board. Off campus, she is a Ministry Base group leader for the Baptist Collegiate Ministry and a volunteer for the Humane Society of Cherokee County.

She plans to continue her education and earn a master's degree in dietetics.

"I would love to pursue a career in public speaking specifically nutritional speaking," she said. "I am looking forward to visiting the school systems of Cherokee County during my time as Miss Northeastern and speaking with young people about a platform that I am so passionate about."

First runner-up and swimsuit competition winner was Chandler sophomore Randee Howard, who received $1,525 in waivers and prizes. Second runner-up was Broken Arrow freshman Austyn Fulps ($1,100) and third runner-up was Checotah senior Layna Austin ($950). Cameron junior Kenda O'Neal was named Miss Congeniality and Crowd Pleaser and received $200 in cash scholarships.

Goodwin will represent NSU in the Miss Oklahoma pageant June 11 at the Oral Roberts University Mabee Center in Tulsa. Until then, she will make public appearances around Tahlequah.

"I am honored to serve my community in this capacity," said Goodwin. "I am very grateful to all who helped pageant staff and my family to make this possible."