Teary-eyed, Alicia Clifton accepted her crown as Miss OU 2011 Tuesday night. In front of a backdrop dripping with sparkly beads, Clifton and the other four contestants lined up for photos.

For Nicole Ajeh, Jacqueline Hunter, Britan Mills, and Cassie Stegall, this is the end of their Miss OU journey this year. However, Clifton’s road is just beginning. Her plans are focused on her next pageant.

“I’m going to just prepare for Miss Oklahoma, which is coming up this June, and just do everything I can to do the best that I can there,” said Clifton, University College freshman.

However, Clifton said her first thoughts after hearing co-host and Miss OU 2009 Taylor Treat announce her as winner were not about Miss Oklahoma, but rather “Thank goodness, I get to eat.”

Clifton will continue to the state-wide Miss Oklahoma pageant. If she wins the title of Miss Oklahoma in June, she will continue to the Miss America pageant.

Treat, a former Miss Oklahoma, was the second Miss OU to become Miss Oklahoma, and co-hosted the pageant with Clark Stroud, vice president of Student Affairs.

“My favorite part is the improv of it all, you know kind of feeding off the audience, and honestly, I just like being back at OU,” Treat said.

Treat and Stroud had to do quite a bit of improvising.

Miss OU 2010 Bailey Robinson started her performance of West Side Story’s “Somewhere,” only to be interrupted by the sound of the CD skipping. Fortunately, Robinson smiled through it and chanted “Boomer Sooner” with Stroud to fill in the awkward gap.

Robinson admitted she was not quite ready to give up her crown.

“I’ve been doing pageants for a while, but being able to represent my university has been the best experience. I did not want to let it go,” said Robinson.

Though only Clifton will have the opportunity to participate in the Miss Oklahoma pageant, the other contestants put on a great show.

In the on-stage question portion of the event, contestant Nicole Ajeh gave advice to incoming freshmen.

“Manage your time and don’t procrastinate. The night before is not the time to right that 12 page paper,” said the business management major senior.

The contestants also strutted across the stage in heels and swimsuits, receiving whistles from the crowd.

In the talent portion, the five contestants sang, danced, and one delivered a self-written monologue about AIDS/HIV prevention that was a heartfelt and sobering end to the playful category.

During intermission, Treat commented on the pageant so far.

“It’s gone really well. Our numbers were down this year because it’s October and students are busy, but we have some amazing young women and they’re doing a great job,” said Treat.

After intermission, the contestants glided across the stage in their evening wear as their pageant platforms were announced. Cassie Stegall said she enjoys doing pageants because of the publicity they bring to her charity platform.

“The reason for having a title is to promote your platform and make a difference in your community,” said Stegall. “With or without a title, I will continue to serve my community in any way I can.”

Of course, the awards came last, crowning Clifton as Miss OU and Mills as the first runner-up. All contestants smiled as the former Miss OU succeeded in pinning the crown in Clifton’s hair.