April Langdon-Shepherd has never entered a pageant, but last night she competed in the third annual Mr. and Ms. Imani Scholarship Pageant.
“The Mr. and Ms. Imani pageant has a reputation for being classy,” she said. “I decided to enter this pageant because I thought it would be a great way for me to broaden my horizons.”
Last night’s rain did not dampen the curiosity of University students and faculty members. By 7:30 p.m., the Union Cotillion Ballroom had a full, attentive audience.
“This pageant is both a great opportunity to display talent and variety among African American students on campus, and a tribute to black history,” said Latronica Madison, a psychology senior.
Jermaine Watson, manager of the African American Cultural Center, said the pageant adds a necessary element to the Black History Month celebration.
“The pageant exemplifies the intellect, beauty and poise of African Americans,” he said.
This year the pageant consisted of eight contestants.
Kashona Conner, Chassidy Jeanminette, Langdon-Shepherd and Lynette White represented the “queens.”
The “pharaohs” were Shaun Mena, Adewemimo Oyekenu, Jyric Sims and Gerald Taylor.
After four wardrobe changes and three intermissions came “Cultural Gateway,” the oral expression segment of the pageant.
Each contestant applied the African principle Imani, meaning faith, to the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Before the announcement of the 2004 Mr. and Ms. Imani, Taylor and White were awarded both 1st runner-up and Mr. and Ms. Kalamazi, which means most congenial.
Sims and Jeanminette were crowned this year’s Mr. and Ms. Imani and each received $300 scholarships on behalf of the LSU Black Faculty and Staff Caucus and Campus Federal Credit Union.
“The pageant is a great tradition and a wonderful expression of the black men and women on our campus,” she said.
Jeanminette said the pageant was never about winning for her.
“I thank God for blessing me to be in the pageant,” Sims said. “I was in the midst of strong competitors and honored for the opportunity to be among such fine competition.”
Victoria Williams and Shaun Stallworth were the Black History Month pageant co-chairs.
“Each contestant worked incredibly hard,” said Stallworth. “It’s always difficult for the judges to come to a decision, but a choice was made, and long live Mr. and Ms. Imani 2004.”