It was an eventful night at the 2010 Miss FIU Scholarship Pageant, hosted by the 2009 Miss FIU Stephanie Lozano and comedian Robby Valls. Fourteen contestants competed for the title that would reward them with a scholarship and a spot in the Miss America Pageant.

The Miss FIU Pageant is part of the Miss America Organization, which is the largest provider of scholarships for young women in the United States.

“The Miss America Pageant, along with the state pageants and local preliminaries, provide contestants with the opportunity to enhance their professional and educational goals,” said Lauren Perez, executive director of the Miss FIU Pageant. “The Miss America Organization is a non-profit corporation that is solely run by dedicated volunteers.”

The 2010 Miss FIU Committee was full of enthusiasm and commitment to the cause and Christine Ale, the stage design and production chair, was happy to have an opportunity to support this cause.

“It is a great opportunity to see women on campus empowered and making an impact. I want to be their support system.”

Second runner-up was Caressa Gonzalez and first runner-up was Cristina Bosmenier.

Stephanie Jimenez was the big winner of the night. In addition to winning the title of Miss FIU, she also won prizes for most photogenic and best interview.

“I still can’t believe it, I’m on cloud nine,” Jimenez said.

For her Overall Interview Award and Most Photogenic Award, she won an official Miss America Trophy, a $50 gift certificate courtesy of Koko & Palenki and a floral bouquet.

For winning the title of Miss FIU 2010, Jimenez got a $1,250 scholarship; an official Miss America crown, official Miss America sash; official Miss America pin, a floral bouquet; $350 gift certificate and earrings courtesy of Regalia Magnificent Apparel; $50 gift certificate courtesy of Koko & Palenki; a three-month gym membership courtesy of Planet Fitness; $150 toward her talent costume for the pageant courtesy of the Miss FIU Committee and $400 toward her gown for Miss Florida courtesy of the Student Government Association.

This isn’t the only pageant that this 19-year-old has participated in. She competed in various pageants throughout her years and has held the titles of Miss Hialeah USA and Miss Kendall USA.

After speaking with many people in the audience, it seemed Jimenez also got the vote for best dressed for the evening, because of her two-piece, white, sequined talent costume and her floor length, flowy, white evening gown.

It wasn’t all glitz and glamour during this pageant for everyone, however. The DJ messed up a few of the contestant’s music during the talent portion, which caused some of them a few extra moments on stage in silence.

Contestant Ellen Durham had to try her color guard routine three times before her music didn’t stall and finally kept going.

To make matters worse, the talents portion was one of the highest percentages of their overall score.

“I think Ellen handed it very well,” said Maria Sabando, a junior and international business major. “She smiled the whole time which demonstrates her patience and positive attitude.”

Talents varied from singing to dancing to performing monologues.

The contestants got scored from one to ten in each category, which included lifestyle and fitness, a 10-minute interview they had in private with the judges, the on-stage interview question, talent and the evening gown.

Now that Jimenez has won the title of Miss FIU 2010, she is anxious to get started.

“I hope to really advocate my platform, which is helping people with disabilities, by working with organizations such as Best Buddies, the Center for Disability Services, SGA, Special Olympics and faculty and administration,” she said. “It is a cause very near to my heart.”

She says she would also like to be active at FIU events and is planning to train and prepare very well for the Miss Florida America Pageant in July in hopes of representing the University to the best of her ability.

“Who knows if I could win and go on to Miss America?” Jimenez said.