Winter Festival , an exciting event, was more than just a crown, flowers, and smiles . Winter Festival was an annual service project sponsored by GATA social club to send children to Camp Wyldewood. The basketball team nominated three girls to be voted on by the student body. This year's nominees were Tama Ellis, Michelle May, and Melinda Bray. Each nominee was presented in chapel and voted on by the students. When the ballots had been marked and counted, Melinda came up as the 1988 Winter Festival Queen. Melinda was a junior marketing major from Tulsa, OK. She was a member of Ka Re Ta social club and was engaged to. basketball team member Carl Collins, whom she planned to wed on August 6, 1988. Good friend and club sister Randi Kerby said, "I couldn't wait to find out who had won Winter Festival. I hoped it would be Melinda, but when they announced her as the winner, I just couldn't stop cheering. I was so Winter Festival Queen attendants. Junior Michelle May from Bartlett, TN, and sophomore Tama Ellis from Ardmore, OK, who is not pictured, and Queen Melinda Bray, a sophomore from Tulsa, OK, reigned over Winter Festival activities. - photo by Bill Tripp. Winter Festival Queen. Senior Melinda Bray from Tulsa, OK, was crowned during half-time ofa February basketball game, in the Ganus Athletic Center. Funds from Winter Festival were used to send children to Christian summer camp. Winter Fetival was sponsored by GATA social club. - photo by Chris Lasley. excited for her and for Carl." Her friend, Marietta Ridge, had this to say of Melinda's honor, "I was really happy that Melinda won. I know it means a lot to her and no one deserves it more." Melinda's fiance, Carl, was filled with pride when he said, "It made me feel so good to know that the one that I had chosen to be my wife everyone else chose to be their Winter Festival Queen." When Melinda was asked how she felt about being crowned, she said, "The night of Winter Festival, I was really nervous, but when I was presented and everyone started yelling even before they had announced who had won, I felt so good. When Dr. Burks started walking towards me, I kept thinking that he was going to turn, but he just kept walking toward me. Being nominated was honor enough, but to be crowned just topped it all off. It was a great feeling to know that the basketball team and student body appreciated me so much and showed their appreciation by voting for me. I just want to thank everyone who made this dream come true." Melinda Brny205 Winter Festival Queen
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