Women's basketball team to host pageant, other fundraisers

Everyone knows the routine for pageants: talent show, evening wear… sports wear. Wait, what?

That’s exactly what the Miss Basketball Pageant will showcase. The Lady Kats will take the stage Saturday September 22 at 6:00 p.m. at Sam Houston elementary school. Admission is free but monetary donations will be taken at the door.

“Everyone should come out and see us,” senior Sequeena Thomas said, “if only to see us in dresses for once.”

The event is making a return after a two year hiatus at the request of the players and is a fundraiser to off-set the cost of travel.

“Last time we did this pageant, it was a lot of fun,” Thomas said. “I especially enjoyed the talent portion because we got to show off our talents other than basketball.”

Thomas and senior Chanice Smith won the last time the pageant was held.

“The talents were funny last time,” Smith said. “I pranced around in a tutu while Q [Thomas] sang.”

This isn’t the only fundraiser the Kats will be hosting this month. On September 15 there will be a “Paint the Town Orange” event at 6:00 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church. Head Coach Brenda Welch- Nichols, illustrator of the popular children’s book series featuring Beauregard Le’ Moose, will be teaching participants a special painting technique.

“We are excited to do something different to raise money for the program,” Welch-Nichols said. “It’s going to be educational, exciting and unique.”

The team will be in attendance for photos and childcare. Tickets are $25 each and only a total of 100 will be sold. Event goers will leave with a finished painted product suitable for hanging. Tickets are available by emailing kat_krew@yahoo.com, calling 936.294.1742, or can be purchased at Community Service Credit Union, at 250 FM 2821 or 2432 Sam Houston Ave.

Coming off a record-breaking season that included the first ever hosting of post season play, the Kats have put together a tough, travel-heavy, schedule.

Newark, DE starts off the team’s travels as they participate in the preseason Women’s National Invitational Tournament. This is the first time the Kats have been invited to a preseason tournament.

The season includes trips to Lincoln, NE, Mobile, AL, and Long Beach, CA; not to mention the wide travels as part of their usual Southland Conference schedule.

“I hope people come and support a great program and great new fundraisers,” Nichols said.