Lee University’s 46th annual Parade of Favorites theme will be “Out of Many…One People.”

The annual event is a scholarship competition where the nominated participants show off their talent and display their successes. Academic success, poise, talent, service and community involvement are all a part of Lee University’s Miss Parade of Favorites.

“We cannot deny that we are all created equal,” said director of the event, Massawe Collie, a double major in business and accounting. “The theme emphasizes that all people are created in the image of God and that we should see each other as people and not situations or physical attributes.”

The show is scheduled for Saturday, March 21 at 7 p.m. in the Conn Center.

Each Lee-recognized club or organization is allow to nominate one participant for the competition; required paperwork much be completed by Nov. 28.

Brie McDaniel, assistant director of student development, hopes the clubs will choose the right person for the competition.

“Find a girl who’s really excited about it,” McDaniel suggested to clubs.

POF preparation begins several months before the actual event.

After attending an informational meeting, the contestants and their escorts are asked to attend all of the eight practices, lasting three hours each, held once a week on Thursday nights.

During rehearsals, couples will work mainly on choreography for their dance routines.

As stressful as preparations may be, Collie expects participants “to be committed to all of the practices.”

The night before the big event, the panel of judges, composed of Lee faculty and community members, will assess the resumes of the girls in the competition.

GPA, service, school activities and community involvement will all be scrutinized. The panel will then meet with each girl individually on the day of Miss POF.

The contestants will be interviewed individually in front of the judges as part of the final score.

Once the interviews are over, the girls and their escorts will perform the show for their audience of fellow students, faculty and the judges that will be deciding who wins the title. After the performances, the judges will announce the winners, and a new Miss POF will be crowned.

Miss POF and the four runner-ups will receive a scholarship. Awards for Miss Congeniality, Miss Photogenic, Best in Evening Gown and Best in Talent will also be presented.

After all the formalities of the competition, Collie hopes that the girls will have learned “confidence” through the process.