The Barometer Online

Issue date: 3/31/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Contributed Photo Business marketing senior Jessica Moody recently won the Miss Multanomah pageant. She will move on to compete in Miss Oregon Scholarship Program.

OSU student Jessica Moody, 24, recently won the Miss Portland Scholarship Pageant and will now represent Multnomah County in the Miss Oregon Scholarship Program.

Both competitions are preliminaries to the Miss America Pageant. Should Moody win, she will go on to represent the state in the national competition.

Moody started competing four years ago as a way to earn money toward college. She won the title of Miss Southern Oregon in 2005 and then took a year off. She began competing again last year at the Miss Portland Pageant, taking runner up.

This year proved to be more lucrative for Moody, as she finally won the title of Miss Multnomah. Moody said the win caught her by surprise, as the competition was tough.

"She was really surprised. All she could say was 'Oh my gosh,'" said Moody's mother, Jacqueline Moody, who was there to share her daughter's moment.

There were 10 contestants altogether. The day of the pageant began with each of the young women answering questions about themselves in front of a panel of judges.

After the interview the ladies were allowed to rehearse, before taking the stage and introducing themselves, as well as what school they were representing. After introductions came the bathing suit competition, followed by the talent portion of the competition.

Moody's talent is singing. She performed "There You'll Be" by Faith Hill.

After each girl showcases her talent, they all move on to evening gowns. While in their gowns, the women take the stage and wait for the winners to be announced.

"I was very surprised when they called my name. The girls were so amazing, I was dumbfounded." Moody said.

Part of her responsibility as Miss Multnomah is to make several public appearances. She is also an advocate for the Children's Miracle Network.

Moody has not been able to bask in the excitement of her win for very long, as she is now looking ahead and preparing for the next round, which promises to be even more challenging.

She has begun training with a personal coach and a voice coach to make sure she is ready for the tough competition. She has also been looking for sponsors to help raise money for the Children's Miracle Network and to help provide funding for her to be able to compete.

Moody said she began competing for the scholarship money, but now she wants to find out what she is capable of.

"I kind of just want to see how far I can take it."

Along with her pageant responsibilities, Moody is also balancing a job and school. Moody is a senior in business marketing and eventually wants to go into public relations.



Rebecca Johnson, senior reporter

news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools