The campus community packed the Cotillion Ballroom on Thursday night to witness the crowning of Mr. And Miss Imani.
Aaron Phipps, general studies senior, and Andrea Kelley, English senior, were crowned in the pageant that celebrates African-American culture.
Phipps is originally from New Orleans and a committed member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Kelley is a Texas native and vice president of the Residential Hall Association. She said she was excited to receive the honor of being Miss Imani for this year and represent the African-American community.
Imani is part of the African American celebration of Kwanzaa. Twelve contestants, six men and six women, participated in the contest.
“It is a scholarship pageant with a focus on individuals in the African American community that not only excel scholastically, but are also involved in the campus community,” said Toni Esther-Zubowski, kinesiology junior and co-chair of the Black History Month Committee. “It is not about if you’re cute. It is really about a genuine person that is well-rounded.”
Esther-Zubowski said the committee tried to pick students representing all classes and even ended up picking four extra contestants this year.
Contestants are judged on mannerisms, confidence and their answers to questions asked by the panel.
Joshua Howard, public relations junior, said he was happy to be involved in the pageant, but he was nervous about his interview. He said he was sure when he got on stage, his nervousness would go away.
“I saw it as an opportunity to branch out and be involved in campus more,” Howard said. “What better way to showcase yourself than in a pageant?”
Howard is also a member of the Association of Black Communicators, Public Relations Student Society of America and the Black History Month Committee.
Erica Newman, architecture junior, said she wanted to show she is involved on campus and represent her culture.
“I decided to be in the pageant because of the word ‘Imani,'” Newman said. “I wanted to let everyone know that I have faith in my community and that we can make changes and can do better. The pageant is a good eye-opener. You think you know how much African American culture means to you, but this kind of wakes you up.”
Darrell Ray, associate dean of students and director of the Center for Student Leadership and Involvement, served as a judge in the pageant.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to express themselves, to express their culture and to communicate that and share that with the campus community,” Ray said.
Ray said if he is not able to come back as a judge next year, he will definitely be in the audience.
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Contact Megan Williams at [email protected]