"I plan to do a lot of hard work as I prepare for the state program and I want to represent Penn State to the best of my ability," Wills said.

Debra Swarner, co-director for the pageant, said Miss Penn State must offer more than beauty. She said she must offer leadership, talent, good communication skills and a strong platform. The platform is a cause or an ideal, such as community service, the contestants advocate, she added.

Contestants were judged on their appearance in swimsuits and evening gowns, display of talent and an interview with the judges.

The pageant began with a dance performed by the contestants and the Nittany Lion mascot. The audience clapped and cheered while contestants showed their best moves on the stage accompanied by the sounds of the Backstreet Boys.

The opening dance was followed by the swimsuit and talent competitions. Contestants presented a variety of talents, which included singing songs from pop-rock and opera, dances from ballet to Latin jazz and dramatic performances.

Following the talent competition was the evening gown portion, in which contestants also answered questions regarding their platforms. Wills' platform was mentoring underprivileged children.

"I want to advocate, I want to be a role model and get others involved in their community as well," she said.

Performances by the Singing Lions and the Penn State Dance Team complimented the pageant, energizing the audience while the contestants prepared for the other parts of the pageant.

"I think Penn State has started a precedent for a pageant that is based on scholarship and character as opposed to just looking at external beauty," said first runner-up Annina Burns (sophomore-nutrition and media studies).

Beth Linnemans (sophomore-marketing) said the pageant was a fair and competitive way to earn a scholarship.

"The program itself is nice because it's not just a scholarship where you just write your name," Linnemans, a participant, said. "This way the judges get to meet you and see your qualifications."

Swarner said preparing women to face the real world through scholarships and communication skills is one of the goals of this pageant.

"We're holding it because there are opportunities for the women to develop interviewing skills, performance skills and learn to know themselves," she said.

Other pageant winners were fourth runner-up Nicole Dunn (junior-communications), third runner-up Elissa Okoniewski (junior-psychology) and second runner-up Lachele Jack (senior-music education).