Meet the Miss Ball State contestants

Lauren Mazur, senior psychology major with a minor in interpersonal relations, has only competed in two pageants in her life. After graduating from Ball State, she hopes to receive a Ph.D. in clinical psychology, start her own practice and teach psychology at the college level. From LaPorte, Ind., she hopes to improve Ball State by making more immersive learning opportunities available to students.

Activities: Ball State University Singers, Peer Health Education, Psi Chi Honor Society, Mortar Board Honor Society

Favorites food: Macaroni and Cheese

Favorite musical artist/band — Coldplay

Favorite restaurant — Olive Garden

Favorite TV show — "The Vampire Diaries"

Favorite movie: "The Little Mermaid"

Describe your personality: "When it comes to work and school, I am very motivated and focused. Outside of the professional realm, though, I am incredibly goofy and outgoing."

Best college moment: "My most memorable college moment thus far would have to be my first Ball State University Singers ‘Spectacular' Show. It gave me the greatest adrenaline rush to be out on the John R. Emens Auditorium stage for the first time singing, dancing and having a great time."

Dream job: "Aside from the career goals I have already set, I would love to be Ariel at Disney World. I don't care how much money the position makes – I would be thrilled to do it for free."

Ideal vacation: "I love traveling, so my ideal vacation would be to visit multiple countries in one trip."

Ideal date: "Getting dinner is always a great way to get to know someone, but I also think active dates are fun. My ideal date would have both. Rock climbing or bowling allows you to connect with someone on a different level."

Celebrity crush: "He is a lot older than me, but I just can't get enough of Daniel Craig – especially in the Bond movies."

Hobbies: "I'm an artsy person. I enjoy photography, writing, singing, dancing and listening to music."

Biggest fear: "I have a strong fear of heights, but I'm trying to conquer it. Think I'll start with the monkey bars."

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Allison Hostetler, a freshmen nursing major with a minor in dance, has competed in some high school pageants. From Millersburg, Ind., she hopes to become a nurse or nurse practitioner after graduating. She would like to improve Ball State's overall reputation.

Activities: Ball State University Dance Marathon, Campus Crusade for Christ, Ball State Nursing Association, National Society of Leadership and Success

Favorites food: Mint chocolate chip ice cream

Favorite musical artist/band — Casting Crowns

Favorite restaurant — anything Chinese

Favorite TV show — "Criminal Minds," "CSI" or "Law and Order"

Favorite movie — "Ever After"

Describe your personality: "I have a very optimistic view on life and love to make others feel good about themselves."

Best college moment: "I can't think of one specific moment, but my whole experience here at Ball State has been filled with meeting and spending time with wonderful new friends."

Dream job: "I would love to instruct dance therapy to mentally and physically disabled people as well as chemotherapy and radiation patients."

Ideal vacation: "I would love to take a cruise because I enjoy warm weather, traveling and trying new things. Everyday, new opportunities are available and new places are able to be explored."

Ideal date: "We would take a walk by a river and just spend quality time talking and laughing. Then we would go out to dinner and finish the night off at home watching a funny movie."

Celebrity crush: Tim Tebow

Hobbies: "I love crocheting and doing anything crafty. I enjoy dancing, singing and acting. I am an animal lover and enjoy spending time with my parrot and two cockatiels. I was a 10-year 4-H member and have always had fun out in the barn with my beef steers and dairy feeder calves. Even though I am not in 4-H anymore, I still have two younger brothers back at home who are in 4-H, and I can help them when I am home for the summer."

Biggest fear: "I am very scared of the dark."

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For Kara Mawhorter, a junior language pathology major, the Miss Ball State pageant will be the second pageant she has competed in. From Columbia City, Ind., Mawhorter said she wants to work in an ENT office or hospital as a medical speech pathologist. If she could do one thing to improve Ball State, she would lower the cost of parking passes.

Favorite food: Fried pickles

Favorite musical artist/band: Lady Gaga

Favorite restaurant: P.F. Chang's

Favorite TV show: "Project Runway"

Favorite movie: "Forgetting Sarah Marshall"

Describe your personality: "I am a slight perfectionist when it comes to school, but other than that I am really easy going and laid back. I am really shy at first when people meet me, but after I know someone, I am a lot more loud and exuberant."

Best college moment: "Getting my first client in speech therapy. It is the first taste of what my career is going to be like and it is just a really exciting time."

Dream job: "My dream job would be to be a stylist. I love fashion and I think it would be so fun to just plan outfits out for other people."

Ideal vacation: "I would love to travel up to Alaska and spend time looking at glaciers, hiking, whale watching, taking trains up into the mountains, and just taking in all the scenery."