Everyone loves a good pageant and that’s especially true when it’s supporting a good cause.
At High Point University (HPU), one event – the Miss High Point University Pageant – brought together a wide variety of service groups for the united purpose of helping build a much-needed school thousands of miles away.
The High Point University Circle K Club hosted the annual Miss High Point University pageant and raised more than $31,000 to support UNICEF’s construction of a school in West Africa.
In fact, according to Circle K President Genna Manger – a junior English and Psychology major and Honors Scholar – HPU’s Circle K Club was recognized as the highest fundraising Circle K Club at a university in the country.
Over the past two years, the club has raised more than $40,000, which is nearly enough to cover the cost of a fully established classroom for students in Cote d’Ivoire.
At this year’s pageant, which saw a large turnout at the university’s Hayworth Fine Arts Center, about two dozen contestants who represented HPU’s philanthropic organizations drew a large crowd of campus supporters.
Sofia Console, a freshman nursing major from Barrington Hills, Illinois, represented Zeta Tau Alpha and was crowned as Miss High Point University.
In addition to the main goal of raising money for a good cause, the pageant was meant to be a way students could come together to serve their community.
Kamryn Eller, a past president of Circle K, said her initial goal in started the Miss HPU pageant last year was not only to raise money for UNICEF but also to create an event to unite the campus.
“This pageant was the first time that Student Government Association organizations, clubs and Greek life all came together for one cause and participated as a group,” Eller said. “It was incredible to see representatives from every corner of campus advocating for the same cause and competing for the same purpose–to raise money for children and families to have better lives in Cote d’Ivoire. I am so happy and honored that everyone cares so much about the meaning behind this event and that it truly did bring so many students together.”
