BOLIVAR, Mo. — Sylvia Ofori-Yeboah, a social work major from Bolivar, and Dustin J. Clarno, an exercise science major from Clarkston, Mich., won the titles of Mr. and Miss Southwest at the annual pageant on Friday, March 3, at Southwest Baptist University.
Eight candidates were nominated by SBU faculty and staff and voted upon by the student body for the purpose of selecting a pair of students to represent the Bearcat family for the next year.
This year’s candidates also included: Claire Van Doren of Columbia; Matt Gaskin of
Lawrence, Kan.; Olivia Darst of Branson; Taylor Parrish of Blue Springs; Taylor Logue
of Topeka, Kan.; and Tony Savage of Sedalia.
The pageant featured introductory videos and a talent presentation by each candidate, followed by a round of text-message voting to determine the top four candidates, who then participated in question-and-answer sessions. A final round of voting determined the winners.
During the competition, Ofori-Yeboah performed a dance routine with a group of friends titled “Evolution of Christian Dancing.” The first half of the routine included dance moves such as “Baptists Don’t Dance,” “Hillsong Worship,” and “When You Can Tell the Pastor is Wrapping It Up,” all set to Toby Mac’s “Me Without You.” The second half opened with “Go Buck” by Flame and wrapped up with Lecrae’s “I’m Turnt.”
The idea was born after Ofori-Yeboah had seen an episode of “Evolution of Hip-Hop Dancing” on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” featuring former First Lady Michelle Obama.
“I said, ‘We should do something like that,’” Ofori-Yeboah said of the routine. “The dances were made up kinds of things; things you might see in church (like ‘Haven’t Seen You Since Last Week’s Service’ and ‘Oh, Honey, Bless Your Heart’). We were just kind of laughing at ourselves.”
Ofori-Yeboah, who plans to pursue her master’s in social work with hopes of working in international social work, remembered attending the event as a prospective student, and later as a host of the event. She was especially touched by all of the support she received.
“It’s a real honor,” Ofori-Yeboah said. “It is humbling. All of the contestants were so worthy of being crowned. I’m extremely grateful to God to have these people in my life. (This year’s contestants) were saying we don’t want it to end. We’ve talked about having a reunion.”
Clarno sang, while he and his friends performed a routine, which emphasized exercise, to revised lyrics to the tune of “A Whole New World,” from “Aladdin.” It was a song he would sing to “get on people’s nerves.”
“I remember my sophomore year thinking it would be so cool to be up there,” Clarno said. “(The pageant) used to be a specific talent that you had, but then it changed to more of a stage performance. The humor aspect stood out the most to me.
“I really enjoy exercise and the gym, and I want other people to enjoy it and not have to dread it.”
Clarno, who plans to enter physical therapy school at SBU because of its Christian focus and reputation, was honored to be part of the program.
“I was kind of overwhelmed,” Clarno said. “It was already an honor to be part of it, and it was another honor to have the students be part of it. It was a huge honor to have the faculty and staff, too. I’m grateful to be part of it.”
The beginnings of the “Miss Southwest” pageant date back to the 1930s, with “Mr. Southwest” being added in 1963. The pageant, which was organized by the students of SBU’s University Activities Council, was one of the keynote happenings of Bearcat Days, a visit event in which admitted students considering SBU attendance were hosted on campus.
For more information, contact student activities director Nathan Penland at (417) 328-1828 or npenland@SBUniv.edu.