The noise was deafening as people cheered and blew air horns Saturday in Meacham Auditorium.

The ruckus was in support of the contestants of the 2006 Miss Hispanic OU pageant at 7 p.m.

At the end of the night, Elsie Urueta, marketing and international business sophomore, was crowned Miss Hispanic OU.

Urueta said she tried out for the pageant because she thought she could represent the Hispanic community well.

"I thought it would be a big honor," Urueta said.

She said the contestants practiced for four hours a day, twice a week since February.

Urueta said it was the toughest competition in a couple of years and she did not expect to win.

"I was shocked," Urueta said.

Now that she is Miss Hispanic OU, Urueta said she wants to stick to her platform, which is to reach out to young Hispanic students and them hope for higher education. Urueta also took home three side awards, including best cultural dress, best interview and the people's choice award.

The night, which was hosted by Latino Achievement and Heritage Celebration, was divided into several sections, including a talent competition, cultural-dress competition, evening wear and projection question.

Deivi Santizo, broadcasting and electronic media sophomore and event coordinator, said the winner would be a role model and would help recruit minorities to OU.

"The winner would represent the Hispanic community on campus," Santizo said.

The event began with an opening dance and introduction of the contestants and the judges. There was also a special performance by Tahitian Dancers.

The contestants then performed various talents for the audience, including a monologue about teen pregnancy by Lorilee Colon and the creating of an original painting by Ana Camila Herrera. The painting was given away to a member of the audience.

Members of the audience made signs for their friends on stage. Santizo said they had sold around 150 tickets before the pageant.

Quy Nguyen, human relations graduate student and Mr. Asian OU, said he heard about the event when he saw Santizo posting applications for contestants. Nguyen, who works in Student Life, said he went to the event because he wanted to support the programs put on by Student Life departments.

Nguyen said his favorite portion of the pageant was the question part because it required the contestants to think quickly. Each contestant was asked what was one political issue affecting the Hispanic community in Oklahoma, and how, as Miss Hispanic OU, they would help.

"The question was so in-depth and so meaningful to the Hispanic community," Nguyen said.

Morgan Morales took home first runner-up, and Melissa Lucia Torres took home best talent.

For more pictures of this event, click here.
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