University of South Alabama Press Release

University of South Alabama, Office of Public Relations

January 30, 2006

Mobile Native Crowned Miss USA

Melissa Hadiye Engin, 19, of Mobile is the winner of the 2006 Miss University of South Alabama earning a $1,500 scholarship. Engin, a sophomore sociology major won the $100 swimsuit award. She was crowned by Miss USA 2005 Erica Elaine Syklawer. Engin is the daughter of Ali and Isin Engin.

During the competition, the new Miss USA performed a martial arts demonstration. She will begin preparing to compete in the Miss Alabama Pageant to be held in June at Samford University in Birmingham. This is a preliminary program that leads to the Miss America Pageant.

The second runner-up is biomedical sciences senior Grace Destin Landers of Leighton, Ala., earning a $650 scholarship and a $100 talent award; and the first runner-up is Holly Samantha Peek communication sophomore of Niceville, Fla., earning a $750

scholarship and a $250 academic award. Biomedical sciences freshman Teresa Le’Anna Johnson of Hattiesburg, Miss., was the winner of the platform, spirit and miss congeniality awards totaling $300. All contestants not placing in the top two positions won a $250 scholarship.

The USA chapter of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity is one of the major sponsors of the Miss USA Scholarship Program. A portion of the funds raised from the event will support the chapter’s philanthropy, Push America, which has a purpose of instilling lifelong service in fraternity members and serving people with disabilities. Nationwide, Pi Kappa Phi members have raised millions of dollars for the projects and programs of Push America.