Miss Maryland pageant opens

June 28, 2002|by KATE COLEMAN

katec@herald-mail.com

Miss Germantown Felicia Curry received the artistic expression in talent award Thursday night as preliminary competition for the Miss Maryland title began at The Maryland Theatre in Hagerstown.

Miss Cumberland Katrina Emerick received the physical fitness in swimsuit award.

Curry sang "Fools Fall in Love" from the Broadway musical "Smokey Joe's Cafe."

The daughter of Clarence and Brenda Curry of Parsippany, N.J., Curry is a senior at the University of Maryland.

For winning the preliminary talent award, Curry, 23, received a $600 scholarship.

Emerick, 21, wore a dark orange wrap-style one-piece swimsuit.

A senior at Western Maryland College, Emerick is the daughter of Stephen and Robin Emerick of Cumberland, Md.

Emerick received a $150 scholarship.

Miss College Park Camille Lewis, 22, a senior at the University of Maryland, won the $100 presence and poise in evening wear award.

Lewis is the daughter of Leon and Pamela Lewis of Silver Spring, Md.

Miss Allegany County Angela Ellsworth, 21, a senior at West Virginia University, won the $500 newcomer preliminary talent award.

Ellsworth tap danced to Big Bad Voodoo Daddy's "Jumpin' Jack."

Ellsworth is the daughter of Kenneth and Pamela Ellsworth of LaVale, Md. Her sister, Rachel Leigh Ellsworth, 18, is competing as Miss Columbia.

The four preliminary winners are among 26 contestants vying for the Miss Maryland title and the right to represent the state in the nationally televised Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City, N.J., in September.

On Thursday night, half of the contestants participated in the talent competition, which counts for 30 percent of the score. The other half participated in the swimsuit and evening gown competitions, each of which makes up 10 percent of the score.

Before the onstage competition Thursday night, each contestant had a personal interview with a panel of judges. The presentation and community achievement in interview phase of the competition counts for 40 percent of the score, an increase of 10 percent from previous years.

This year, a two-question onstage interview also will count toward each contestant's score.

Susan Powell, Miss America 1981, was mistress of ceremonies.

The second round of preliminary competition will get under way tonight at 8 p.m. at The Maryland Theatre.

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