Document text
http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 4, 2007 SOU junior takes Miss Rogue Valley crown — again By CLEVE TWITCHELL for the Mail Tribune In an apparent first, the Miss Rogue Valley scholarship pageant has a repeat winner. Cassandra Tolman, a junior at Southern Oregon University and the 2004 selection, was crowned Saturday night as Miss Rogue Valley of 2007. Tolman swept to victory on the stage of the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater in Medford with a strong vocal performance, winning the pageant's talent award, and also captured the interview award. Her platform is to encourage more people to become donors for organ transplants. First runner-up was Jessica Desiree Henry Ville, a 21-year-old SOU student from Grants Pass. Danielle Lyn Feldman, 18, a North Medford High School senior, was another multiple award winner. She was second runner-up and also earned most improved honors as well as the Miss Rogue Valley alumni scholarship award. Anika Lee Keller, 17, another North Medford High senior, was third runner-up. Advertisement Miss Rogue Valley receives a $1,500 college scholarship. Others earn amounts ranging from $900 down to $150. Tolman, who is a music major at SOU, sang the operatic "Doretta's Aria" by Puccini. A graduate of Phoenix High School, her parents, Robert and Peggy Tolman, now make their home in Meacham. By winning the Miss Rogue Valley pageant again, Tolman hopes for another shot at becoming Miss Oregon and then moving on to the Miss America Pageant. Lindsay Darneille, producer and executive board member, said that a previous winner is permitted to compete in the same pageant again, but not in consecutive years. Patricia Leines, who served as master of ceremonies at Saturday night's pageant, was Miss Rogue Valley of 1995 and first runner-up at the Miss Oregon competition that year. She competed again in 1996, but because it was a consecutive year, she entered a pageant elsewhere in Oregon, won it, became Miss Oregon of 1996 and was second runner-up at Miss America. Regarding her platform, Tolman said, "There are 94,000 adults and children who are waiting for an organ to become available for transplant. I wish to develop awareness and educate as many people as I can about the importance of the Donate Life Program." Other contestants' platforms ranged from bilingual education to helping the families of soldiers killed in combat. Contestants were judged on talent, interview, evening wear, fitness (swimsuit) and their response to a question asked on stage. The talent competition featured six singers, three dancers and a flutist. This year's Miss Oregon Pageant will be in late June at Seaside. Cleve Twitchell is a retired Mail Tribune editor and columnist. E-mail him at [email protected]. Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help