FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                              February 10, 2004

CASTEEL CROWNED MISS NORTHWESTERN

            Lauren Casteel of McLoud has been crowned Miss Northwestern Oklahoma State University and will represent the university in the Miss Oklahoma Scholarship Pageant in June.

            Casteel, a junior mass communications major, has chosen the promotion of volunteerism among youth as her platform. In the talent category, she performed a self-choreographed ballet to “When It’s All Said and Done.”

            She transferred to Northwestern last fall after completing an associate degree at Rose State College. She is a staff member of the Northwestern News and has been an anchor on the campus television.

            As Miss Northwestern, Casteel received a $1,500 tuition scholarship, a $500 cash scholarship and a variety of gifts from area businesses.

            First runner-up was Vanessa Gregory, a senior from Alva, and Jill Troutt, a freshman from Cherokee, was second runner-up.

            All contestants competed in the categories of lifestyle and fitness, artistic expression, presence and poise, as well as interview. Each also formulated a platform to promote.

-NW-