Kimberly Patrick was shocked when her name was announced as the regional winner of the Miss Gospel World USA pageant last month.The pageant was held in Kenneth R. Williams Auditorium and featured 12 contestants ranging in age from 18 to 30-plus years old. Five of the participants were WSSU students and the other contestants traveled from surrounding areas in North Carolina. To enter the pageant, it was mandatory that all contestants have an audition with Dr. Fulton, who was one of the directors, and to have a sponsorship of $250. Patrick’s church in Kingston, River of Life Christian Center, provided her with the funds. The pageant included a talent, traditional church wear, gown wear, and an interview portion. Patrick sang an original song that she wrote and was accompanied by Kerwin Graham on piano. In her traditional church wear segment, she wore a lime green suit with a black hat, purse and shoes. Her gown was red featuring diamonds on the front and back. With the regional title of Miss Gospel World USA, Patrick will enjoy the luxuries of a new vehicle, a $2,000 shopping spree in New York, a day at the spa, a record deal, appearances on television talk shows such as Opah and Mary Povich, and radio appearances among other opportunities. Patrick must also attend numerous churches in the country to represent the regional Miss Gospel World USA. Winston-Salem State University students seem to have taken control of the pageant as the first and second runner-ups were also WSSU natives. Charie Neal came in second place, and Shameia Gardin came in third. Once all the regional winners are selected, the National Miss Gospel USA competition will take place around Easter. Atlanta is the tentative location for the event. A banquet will be held Dec. 13 in honor of Patrick, where she will receive a calendar outlining her radio and church appearance dates.Although Patrick and her family were very shocked and worried about her even placing in the pageant, now that she has won, Patrick said, “I’m very excited about what I have to look forward to and what’s new. I want to take it to the next level.”