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Cutline: Emily Hall (left) was named Miss NOC Enid Tuesday night in Tonkawa. Samantha Cano (right) was the 1^st runner up. (photo by John Pickard/91����)

Emily Hall of Enid was named Miss 91���� Enid 2020 at the dual Miss NOC Enid-Miss NOC Tonkawa Scholarship Competition at NOC Tonkawa Oct. 29.

Upon hearing the winning announcement, the 19-year-old freshman said her mind “blanked out on the number” but when she realized she had captured the title, she was “overjoyed.”

Crowned by Miss NOC Enid 2019 Alexis Large of Rush Springs, Miss Hall received a $1000 scholarship expense award, Miss America crown and pin, sash and a bouquet of long-stemmed red roses. She will advance to the Miss Oklahoma Scholarship Competition in Tulsa next June, according to Terri Sunderland, executive director of the Miss NOC Competition.

First runner-up Samantha Cano of Enid received a $600 scholarship expense award.

Others vying for the title were Emily Long, Enid, and Taylor McKay, Hennessey. Each received a $250 tuition waiver participation award. Candidates were judged in on-stage question, artistic expression, and presence and poise in evening wear during which they presented their social impact statements. Earlier in the day they were individually interviewed by the judges.

An English major who is fluent in Spanish, the new Miss NOC Enid plans eventually to obtain a Master of Arts degree in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. In the artistic expression portion of the competition she sang “How Great Thou Art” in Spanish while accompanying herself at the piano.

During her reign, she will promote her social impact initiative, “Let’s Talk: Defeating the Stigma” of mental illness, chosen because she has struggled with mental health issues and had difficulty in “coming out to others” about her problems.

“I am so touched to be named Miss NOC Enid 2020,” Miss Hall commented, “because it is a way to set an example,” showing individuals suffering from mental illness that “it’s okay to be sad. I am honored and privileged to be the person to let those people know they are not broken.” She stated that “46.6 million Americans suffer from a diagnosable mental illness that causes impairment in their day-to-day lives. However, more than half of them will not receive any form of treatment.”

Miss NOC Enid hopes to partner with and raise funds for the National Alliance on Mental Illness, an organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. She plans to use social media to educate the public concerning her initiative. “It’s time to defeat the stigma. Let’s talk!” she urges.

Miss Hall encourages young women to participate in the Miss NOC Competition because “you meet new people and grow more in confidence in yourself. Standing on stage with amazing women gives you a sense of empowerment.”

She is the daughter of Mindy and Russell Hall and the granddaughter of Sharon Lewis and the late Dennis Lewis of Waukomis. Her brother, Jack, is a sixth grader at Chisholm Middle School.

Dr. Edward Dixon, NOC Fine Arts Division chair, served as master of ceremonies for the evening. Special entertainment was by Miss Large, singing Ben E. King’s “Stand by Me,” Miss NOC Tonkawa 2019 Karli Lovelace, performing the hymn “Softly and Tenderly,” and Dr. Dixon, singing “For Good” from the Broadway musical Wicked.

Before making their farewell walks, the Miss NOC 2019 royalty introduced their Oklahoma Stars, young girls whom they selected to mentor. Miss Large presented Kaysen Arnold, daughter of Kelli and Kolby Arnold, Cherokee, and Miss Lovelace presented Scarlette Cassens, daughter of Cara and Rick Cassens, Ponca City. NOC President Dr. Cheryl Evans presented official portraits to Miss Lovelace and Miss Large.