UCO Celebrates Culture and Diversity With Mr. and Ms. UCO International Pageant

March 13, 2013

Media Contact:  Courtney Harlin, University Relations Staff Writer, University of Central Oklahoma, 405-974-2121, cbass4@uco.edu

UCO CELEBRATES CULTURE AND DIVERSITY WITH MR. AND MS. UCO INTERNATIONAL PAGEANT

The University of Central Oklahoma will celebrate its diverse international student population with the annual Mr. and Ms. UCO International Pageant at 7 p.m., March 29, in Constitution Hall, Nigh University Center.

“The Mr. and Ms. UCO International Pageant is unlike any other pageant because it focuses on the beauty of international cultures that are represented right here at Central,” said Tracy Tindle, coordinator for international students for Central’s Office of International Services.

“Guests should expect to see traditional cultural dress, traditional cultural performances, as well as some of the traditional elements seen in most other pageants.”

Sponsored by the International Student Council, each of the winners will receive a $1,000 scholarship.  Each of the first runners-up will win a $700 scholarship and each of the second runners-up will receive a $400 scholarship.

The pageant is free to attend and open to the public. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This year’s 16 contestants, followed by their home country are:

Laura Maroti
Venezuela


Anna Ali
Pakistan


Vy Tran
Vietnam


Qi Guan Zi Xin
China


Sovannary Leang
Cambodia


Shanta Ghosh
India


Adalaida Tembo
Zambia


Tae Kyoung
Republic of Korea


Yuina Sakakibara
Japan


Nela Mrchkovska
Macedonia


Omer Akhtar
Pakistan


Shibo Wang
China


Benny Tham
Malaysia


Pema Tenzen Sherpa
Nepal


Rasta Rastkhiz
Iran


Daniel Barros
Brazil

For more information, contact Tindle at 405-974-2131 or ttindle@uco.edu.

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Editor's Note: Download headshots of each contestant at www.uco.edu/photo/InternationalPageant2013.