Annalise Freeman reacts as she learns she is Miss Mustang 2009.

By Carolyn Cole/Staff Writer
published Jan. 8, 2009

Aspiring opera singer Annalise Freeman did her homework before contending for Miss Mustang Saturday — her first pageant ever.

As master of ceremonies Richard Tate counted down from fourth runner-up, the Oklahoma City University sophomore didn’t think she would win the crown. At first, when she heard her name, Freeman slapped her hands to her face in disbelief.

The cheers of her close friend Caroline Carthey, also a contestant, helped reality sink in.

“I am both very nervous and excited,” Freeman said.

While the field of contestants for Miss Mustang was narrower this year, pageant co-director Rita Tate said the competition was still tough. In 2008, Edmond resident Ashley Baumgartner rose from a field of 15 contestants to be crowned the first Miss Mustang. This year, 12 women sought the crown, while Tate said organizers had hoped for between 15 and 20 entrants. None of this year’s contenders live in Mustang or Canadian County.

“We got many people interested,” Tate said. “Not all of them got their paperwork in time for the deadline.”

Candidates were required to live within 125 square miles of Mustang, be between the ages of 17 and 24 and be either college students or college bound. While fewer women applied, Tate said the pageant still drew three former local titleholders with experience competing for the Miss Oklahoma crown.

“For her to beat those veterans, it was really quite an accomplishment,” Tate said.

Freeman won a $1,000 scholarship and financial support to prepare for the Miss Oklahoma pageant in June. Last year, Baumgartner received a $2,000 scholarship for her win. Tate said organizers decide to shift more of the prize package toward state pageant preparation. She estimated $4,000 was spent to help Baumgartner prepare for her Miss Oklahoma bid.

Sheridan Fulkerson, a South Moore High School student, won first runner-up and a $500 scholarship. If Freeman is unable to compete at Miss Oklahoma, Fulkerson will seek the crown in her place.

Ashley Edwards, a University of Central Oklahoma student, won second runner-up and a $300 scholarship. Another UCO student Natasha Alikhani won third runner-up and a $200 scholarship, and Jordan Gaskill, a student at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, won fourth runner-up and a $100 scholarship.

Other contestants were Michelle Gallimore of Lawton, Britan Mills of Shawnee, Rebecca Witt of Tipton, Natasha Johnson of Tulsa, Caroline Carthey of Houston, Heidi Heineman of Tulsa and Anna Marie Costello of Edmond.

The women vied on the Mustang High School stage in an interview competition, answering questions from five judges. Then they performed an opening number during the pageant, modeled a swimsuit and evening gown and showed off a talent. Chamber Director Becky Julian and teacher Lee Ann Carder represented Mustang at the judge’s table along with Miss America system judges Lisa Thompson, Norma Creech and Todd James.

Freeman won’t have long to celebrate her win. Tate said the real work starts next week as she begins her preparation to represent the Mustang community in the Miss Oklahoma Pageant in June.

Freeman said she’s ready for the tough workouts to refine her figure, hours of coaching and practice that will be necessary to be a contender in the pageant. She will face 40 other women, all winners of other local pageants, including Baumgartner, who will return as Miss Northwest Passage.

“I would love to be Miss Oklahoma,” Freeman said. “That would be a great honor.”

Tate said she believes the young woman’s strong clear voice will ring through and separate her from the contestants. Last year’s Miss Oklahoma pageant did not draw any operatic singers.

Freeman said singing is a passion she discovered in high school and gave her self-worth. She’s always loved to sing, but Freeman’s first musical interest was the flute.

She didn’t audition for her school’s choir until her 10th-grade year and became an instant favorite. Her teachers encouraged her to join the show choir and take private lessons.

“I fell in love with it,” she said. “I really realized that is where I fit in.”

Freeman said people need to find their “God-given talent” in life to find purpose, which is why she’s made helping others discover their self-worth her platform.

Singing brought Freeman from the Fort Worth home where she has lived her whole life to Oklahoma City University, where she has sang in several operas and performances. When she graduates, Freeman said she hopes to continue singing in operas or become a recording artist. She is majoring in vocal music performance and musical theater.

Singing opened many doors in Freeman’s life. She said she’s hoping her performance will win the judges’ hearts in the Miss Oklahoma pageant and a ticket to Miss America stage next winter.

“I love everything that Miss America stands for — the great American woman that every little girl wants to be,” she said.