Karen Ann Gibbs Crowned
“Miss Gaston College '83''
Profile
By Michael Schwartz
Gaslight Managing Editor
With tears in her eyes, Karen Ann Gibbs started her long
walk toward the front of toe stage. She held a bouquet of roses
tightly in her arms and the sparkling crown sat atop her head.
Several weeks of practicing, pretending to be crowned the
winner, had finally paid off for Karen. And although just a week
earlier, she had had thoughts of withdrawing from the contest
— she was glad she didn’t.
Karen was really surprised when her named was called out.
“It’s a good feeling. I was thinking of my family and friends.”
she said afterwards. “My father was standing down in front of
the stage taking pictures. They gave me a lot of support. ”
Her thoughts weren’t all on her friends though. As she stood
facing the audience, the moment of the situation finally caught
up with her — “Karen, what are you doing up here? ” she said to
herself.
Karen, 20, is the daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Phillip H.
Gibbs of Gastonia. Her father is pastor of Bradley Memorial
United Methodist Church.
It wasn’t all that easy for Karen though. There was one thing
that nearly kept her from entering the “Miss Gaston College”
pageant.
It wasn’t her fear of standing in front of a large audience.
After all, if her father could do it every Sunday, why couldn’t
she? Nor was it having to perform a tap and jazz number to the
overture “Audition” from David Merrick’s “42nd Street.” She
loves to dance.
Karen’s biggest fear was having to get up there in front of
everybody, with braces on.
'Miss Gaston College" for 1983
Miss Karen Ann Gibbs
“I really didn’t think I wanted to.” she said. “Sure, braces
and all.” Karen has had braces for less than a year now, and
they were on her mind.
She was scheduled to have the braces removed by the time of
the pageant, but her orthodonist wasn’t statisfied — so on they
stayed. But as it turned out, she had nothing to worry about.
As for the pageant itself, Karen thought it was great. And as
for the other contestants. “I made some new friends,” she said.
“It’s great to have someone help you. And even though you are
competing against each other, we were still good friends. ”
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