Twenty-one contestants will compete in the 50th annual Ms. ABAC contest on Feb. 21 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Sponsored by the Agribusiness Club, the theme of this year’s pageant is “The Golden Anniversary.”   The winner will receive a $500 academic scholarship.

 The event begins at 7 p.m. in ABAC’s Howard Auditorium. Admission is $10. Because of limited seating, advance ticket purchase is advised. Tickets can be purchased from any Agribusiness Club officer, in the Donaldson Dining Hall the week of the event, or by calling Agribusiness Club advisor Audrey Luke-Morgan at (229) 391-4807.

Contestants will compete in casual and evening wear. They will also be judged on a written essay and an interview with the judges.

Students competing in this year's pageant include Lori Hayli Ary, a nursing major from Valdosta, sponsored by family and friends; Madison Elizabeth Barber, a nursing major from Warwick, sponsored by family and friends; Jaylee Nicole Bass, a writing and communications major from Adel, sponsored by the ABAC Ambassadors;  Rebecca Davis, a livestock production major from Crystal River, Fla., sponsored by the Cattlemen’s Association; Chasity Denmark, an agricultural education major from Uvalda, sponsored by the Beekeepers Association; Savannah Eastall, an agriculture major from Lilburn, sponsored by the Collegiate 4-H;  Sara Faulk, a nursing major from Cochran, sponsored by the Young Farmers and Ranchers; Kaycee Goodman, a nursing major from Tifton, sponsored by the Baptist Collegiate Ministries; Caitlyn Lawton, a crop and soil sciences major from Leesburg, sponsored by friends and family; Charley Lollis, an agricultural communication major from Perry, sponsored by Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow (ACT) Club; and Wellsley Martin, an agribusiness major from Hawkinsville, sponsored by the Agronomy Club.

Other contestants are Meredith McGlamory, an agricultural communication major from Abbeville, sponsored by the ACT Club; Natalie Logan Meeks, a psychology major from Alma, sponsored by friends and family; Katibeth Mims, an agricultural communication major from Donalsonville, sponsored by the ACT Club; Shelby Mumma, an agricultural communication major from Mechanicsburg, Pa., sponsored by Red Door Bible Study; Emily Elizabeth Ralston, an agribusiness major from Bradenton, Fla., sponsored by the Sigma Alpha Sorority; and Lexie Nicole Reynolds, an agricultural education major from Commerce, sponsored by the Collegiate FFA. 

Other participants include Lindsay Shurley, an agribusiness major from Groveland, Fla., sponsored by the Sigma Alpha Sorority; Abigail Allene Stumpf, a business major from Monroe, sponsored by the Ag Engineering Technology Club; Megan Thackston, an agricultural education major from Washington., sponsored by the Dairy Science Club; and Madison Nicole Thompson, a business major from Ocilla, sponsored by friends and family.

Mike Chason, Director of Public Relations Emeritus, will serve as master of ceremonies. All proceeds from the Ms. ABAC pageant will benefit the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and ABAC’s 2019 National Agri-Marketing Association Team.