Lamarcus Nelson and Mychon Deslandes were crowned Mr. and Miss Imani 2005 last night.
The fourth-annual Mr. and Miss Imani Scholarship Pageant was the kickoff event for this year’s Black History Month. Nelson and Deslandes each received a $300 scholarship and will reign as Mr. and Miss Imani for the next year.
The contestants were judged on three presentations in casual wear, business wear and formal wear, as well as “oral expression.”
Deslandes, a communication disorders junior, said she is proud of what she has achieved.
“I feel accomplished,” she said. “I set out to be a winner. I wanted to be the best.”
The other female contestants, or “Queens,” included Kristi Davis, a business administration senior, Alicia Calvin, a political science senior, Alexis Garner, a mass communication sophomore, and Tiffany Thomas, a pre-arts and sciences junior.
Nelson, a biological sciences sophomore who won the male contest, wore his crown proudly and said his faith in God helped him through all his challenges.
The other male contestants were called “Pharaohs” and included Jared Avery, a psychology sophomore, Anthony Igbo, a pre-education junior, Tim Mulaula, a music education sophomore, and Nicholas Turner, a pre-basic sciences junior.
Avery and Davis were the first runners-up.
Each nominee submitted an application and the Imani Scholarship Pageant Committee narrowed the selection to five men and five women, based on grade point average, an essay and extracurricular activities, said Black History Month student coordinator Perisha Hendricks.
The audience was welcomed by the master and mistress of ceremonies, Antonio Cousin and Beverly Ojongtambia, who described the events that made up the Miss Imani Pageant.
After the words of welcome, both the male and female contestants performed three dances.
The first was entitled, “The Rhythm, the Beat, the People,” performed in casual clothes with the Imani dancers, a group of students joined specifically for this event.
The second dance symbolized the elements of Carnival and included music, dance, costume and parade, performed in business attire.
Each contestant answered the question, “How do you display your faith?” for the oral section.
Deslandes said she used her faith to get through the hard times of today’s world.
Nelson said that, to him, faith was the evidence of things not seen, and he displayed his faith by trusting in that.
Pageant sponsors included the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Student Government, Omega Psi Phi, Theta Kappa Chapter, Dr. Pam Daniel, D.D.S. and the U.S. Army.
Lynette White, co-chairperson of the Black History Month Imani Pageant sub-committee, said the pageant contestants and performers hoped to “be a light” to the world around them and “show them what the black community is made of.”