During the first night of the pageant, winners were chosen for the freshman and sophomore classes.  The girls who were recognized from the freshman class are as follows:  3^rd Runner Up: Tyler Chambliss, 2^nd Runner Up: Sarah Mitchell, 1^st Runner Up: Lauren Wright, Freshman Beauty: Hayley Martinez. 

The girls who were recognized for the sophomore class are as follows:  3^rd Runner Up: Hannah Turner, 2^nd Runner Up: Megan Gibert,   1st Runner Up: Rebekah Cagle, Sophomore Beauty: Rylee Walker.

During the Friday night portion of the pageant all junior and senior contestants were competing for the honor of becoming Miss Viking.  The results are as follows:  Best Skit: Jessica Byrd, Miss Congeniality: Jessica Byrd, 4^th Runner Up: Jymyra Riley, 3^rd Runner Up: Jessica Byrd, 2^nd Runner Up: Hannah Waters, 1^st Runner Up: Heather Turner, Miss Viking 2012: Taylor Jemison. 

To see more pictures from the Miss Viking Pageant taken by guest photographer Terrell Patrick, please visit the following link  http://valkyrievoice.smugmug.com/Other/Miss-Viking-Pageant-2012/21903411_qR4vnx#!i=1746697684&k=s9fcqQB

One reason it was a good thing is because it wasn’t as crowded.  The school’s auditorium is a pretty big place, but the Miss Viking Pageant is one of the biggest events held at MGM.  If someone were to attend the pageant with all the girls participating in one night, that person may not get a seat.  Tickets sold out quickly, and chairs filled to capacity.  It wasn’t guaranteed everyone who wanted a ticket would receive one, and chances were slim of that person’s seat being close enough to get any photographs.

Another reason to keep the pageant on two nights is the duration of the pageant.  In the past, the pageant began at 6:30 P.M. and lasted until late in the night.  This year, the freshman and sophomore night of the pageant began at 6:30, and it was over by a little after 8:00.  Everyone had time then to eat with their families and still arrive home at a good hour to get ready for work/school the next day. 

Another good reason for the pageant split into two nights is there were fewer girls to be judged per night.  Having fewer contestants at one time allowed the judges more time and less pressure.  The judges do a great job every year, but every now and then they miss things.  This year, the judges could take their time and really remember which girls stood out and deserved to win.

My sister participated in Miss Viking for the first time.  This was actually her first pageant ever.  I realized it was a very stressful experience for her and my mom as well.  One thing that helped relieve some stress was a smaller crowd in the audience.  The girls were not as nervous knowing their friends and family watched and supported them.  This helped them forget about being so nervous and just have fun.

The main benefit was more room was available for people to attend and watch the pageant.  In the years past, there was never enough room for all who wanted to watch the pageant to attend.  Now with it being two nights, there is plenty of room.  Those who were supporters of ninth and tenth graders were only interested in attending Thursday night.  Those supporters of eleventh and twelfth graders only attended on Friday evening. 

Another major benefit was the time for the pageant.  In the past, the pageant was incredibly long to accommodate all grade levels to participate.  When the audience attended before this year, they could look forward to spending about five hours to watch the entire pageant.  With the grade division, the pageant was only about two hours.  This made the evening a little easier and more convenient for those in attendance as well as allowed everyone involved to not feel really rushed.  No one spent much time on hurrying and hustling trying to shave off every spare second possible.  The division of the pageant into two nights also gave the judges more time to decide on the winners.  I believe the more relaxed time frame allowed the judges to accurately select the winners. 

Splitting the pageant in two gives the freshman and sophomores a nice benefit too.  It allowed the participants the opportunity to come back the next night to watch the juniors and seniors and learn from their participation in the pageant.  Seeing the juniors and seniors perform during the pageant gave the underclassmen the think about their participation in years to come and realize what they would need to do to compete successfully.  The younger girls would get a confidence boost from knowing what to do in years to come. 

Holding the Miss Viking Pageant on two separate nights is really a positive thing.  It benefits the audience, judges, contestants, and everyone involved.  The pageant was more convenient for everyone.  It was a more laid-back occasion while bringing needed funding to the cheerleading program.  Miss Viking has been a part of MGM’s history for many years, and with constant improvements, it will be a program many look for in years to come.

I think with the pageant being two nights, neither the cheerleaders nor the two sponsors, Mrs. King-Durham and Miss Bryars, were as stressed.  Having sixty girls backstage with props and stage hands can get a little stuffy.  I also think the families of the girls liked the fact they did not have to stress over sold out tickets or searching for seats.  All in all, I liked having two nights of the pageant instead of one.

The group traveled to LeFlore for their first match in January immediately after Christmas break.  There, MGM’s Hi-Q performed very well and left with a record-high number of points for MGM’s team.  The next match was a month later, held the first week in February on MGM’s campus.  Sponsors Mrs. Hair and Mrs. Hardegree made sure the opposing teams, Citronelle and Vigor were treated to lunch.  The Hi-Q team members made sure the opposing teams were treated to a loss.  MGM was slow to start, but ended the match as victors.  For the home match, potential Hi-Q members received a special invitation to attend the event to see what it is all about.  Mrs. Hardegree said, “We have many seniors on our team who play every match.  We are now looking for some underclassmen who can take their places. ”  If a student thinks he/she has what it takes to compete with Mobile County’s brainiest students, he/she should see Mrs. Hardegree in room 402 or Mrs. Hair in room 406.

Tomorrow the Hi-Q team travels to Baker for their most challenging match yet.   When asked what areas of expertise the MGM team needed to study, Jazmon replied, “Art history for sure.”  Catherine Zivanov commented that her favorite part of preparing for the brain challenge was “Reading Time Magazine with Mrs. Hardegree.”

Hi -Q is a student quiz show that has been around for many years.  The program is sponsored by New Horizons Credit Union, and Bob Grip is the emcee for each event.  To keep up with Hi-Q and how the county’s teams are scoring, one can follow Bob Grip on Twitter or check out his Facebook page.

February 9–Polka Dots Parade

February 11–Mobile Mystics Parade

February 14–LaShe Parade

February 17–Crewe of Columbus Parade

Mardi Gras is in full swing for Mobile, and the MGM Marching Band is ready to perform.  They would like to see Vikings lining the streets to support the band during the parades.  Marching in Mardi Gras parades is a lot of work, and many people would like an inside scoop on what it is like to march the routes.  Alexa Peacock, a member of the flag team, said, “It was long and tiring but very fun.  I enjoyed it.”  Most of the band members gave the same response.  “I love to see the little kids’ faces,” explained Brooke Spivey, dance team captain.

Also in the news is Mr. Bradley Burroughs.  Recently, a group of MGM students attended a high school leadership workshop at Auburn University.  Miss Miller took her leadership students there enrich their leadership training they have received through MGM’s leadership program.  Directing the workshop at Auburn University was Bradley Burroughs who completed leadership training through Miss Miller’s class at MGM before his graduation from MGM in 2011.  As of February 6, Bradley learned he will be the director of Welcome Week 2012 at Auburn University.