Feature
A&E
UMKC stands out for its sustainability efforts.
“Dracula: The Journal of Jonathan Harker” impresses at the Coterie.
Sustainability, p. 6-8
Dracula, p. 10
UNIVERSITY NEWS UMKC’s Independent Student Newspaper
Volume 81, Issue 10
Monday October 21, 2013
BLACK AND GOLD PAGEANT SHOWCASES BRAINS AND BEAUTY
Contestants compete, show off talents to win funds for education
Contestants modeled swimwear at the Miss Black and Gold Pageant. From left: Breonica Scott, Destiny Crosby, Jazmine Cooper, Kelsi Washington, Bianca Gantt, Cierra Mitchem, Jasmyne Haymon, Erika Pearson and Ra’Chell Richards. Photos // Jessica Turner pre-law with an emphasis in Jessica Turner business management with hopes of Senior Beat Writer becoming an attorney, and showing UMKC sophomore Bianca Gantt young girls that the ultimate lady was crowned this year’s Miss Black not only possesses beauty, but and Gold at the pageant hosted by brains as well.” All of the contestants prepared the Delta Rho chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. The honor brief introductions including their will also include a monetary award achievements and goals. It was to assist Gantt in paying for her an opportunity for the judges and the audience to get to know them. education. There was a full house, and They learned that senior Jazmine the audience was in store for Cooper is passionate about helping a memorable night of fashion, people and about her faith. Judges entertainment and anticipation. then discovered junior Breonica The contestants opened the show Scott has dreams of beginning a with a routine number that excited non-profit organization for abused and neglected children. Sophomore the crowd. Alpha Phi member and Master of Kelsi Washington revealed she Ceremony Eliott Nelson conducted doesn’t buy into the idea that it’s a Greek roll call which resulted “a man’s world,” and that she can in several enthusiastic chants and accomplish anything she puts her shout-outs from the audience. He mind to. “The question isn’t ‘who’s going then welcomed to the stage Delta Rho’s current President Fred Avery. to let me?’” junior Cierra Mitchem said, addressing the crowd. “It’s ‘who’s going to stop me?’” In some aspects, the pageant was traditionally structured. During introductions, participants modeled business attire. There was also a swimwear show, a talent show and finally, a Q&A session during which the contestants wore formal gowns. However, the pageant was not conventional in attitude. The Jazmine Cooper was awarded show lacked the artificially polite, Miss Congeniality at the pageant. curl-and-twirl response from “The pageant showcases the the contestants. Those involved intelligence, talent, leadership and dedicated a lot of time and hard unparalleled beauty of women of work to the event, and definitely the UMKC campus,” Avery said. let their powerful, individual “It serves as an opportunity for personalities shine through onstage. During the talent portion, Gantt young women to display their selfconfidence, communication skills performed a monologue about her and captivating beauty. This year, budget as a college student who the brothers have nine incredible receives financial aid. “Over the past few years of young women who will participate in the pageant and represent various college, my communication skills have experienced tremendous communities.” The judges included Briauna growth,” Gantt began. “How could Hawthorne, Christopher Arthur, they not when you’re around such Lee Rembert, Simone Stewart brilliant students, professors and and Stanley Taylor, all esteemed faculty all the time? However, there members of their communities. are still three words that I cannot Gantt was the first contestant to say. Three words that, every time I muster up the courage to express, introduce herself. “I believe that you must be the I chicken out. Three words that I change you want to see in the dare not utter to even my closest world,” Gantt said. “I am studying friends.”
There was a long pause, and the sweet and delicate tone that Gantt’s voice had possessed until this moment changed, as she was finally able to get those three words off of her chest.
Kelsi Washington performed a violin solo as part of the talent portion of the pageant. “Bitch!” she said into the microphone. The audience gasped. “I’m broke,” she finished. The audience laughed. Gantt had her peers shouting, “Preach!” and, “That’s right,” as she elaborated on what it’s like to be broke. In a comically good-natured manner, she explained that she substitutes going to the movies for Netflix and hitting the club for twerking for free in her living room. She recited her weekly coupon clippings routine and managed to connect with the audience in a relatable and honest way. “I get paid on Friday, but between meals and bills, baby, I’m broke by Tuesday,” she said. By the end of it, she had encouraged all audience members to turn to their neighbor in the seat next to them and admit that they, too, were broke. The Q&A segment did not
prompt the participants to give cliché responses about world peace and wishing upon a star. The questions posed were current, practical and open-ended. Each question was printed on a slip of paper, which each contestant withdrew to be handed blindly to Nelson only moments before answering. Participants were asked about how influential the media is on public opinion. They were asked about the history of slavery in the United States. They were asked about social media and cyberbullying. They were asked about how the government shutdown has affected the trust Americans have in elected officials. Junior Jasmyne Haymon was asked whether or not rappers should have a greater responsibility in the content they deliver in their music. “I believe that rappers should not have to monitor their content when they’re making music because music is creative expression,” Haymond said. “And because we have the freedoms in our country, we can control what our children listen to and other concerns that people have about this.” Haymon placed First Runner-Up in the pageant. Nelson also serves as Step Captain of the Books-Not-Bars Mentoring Program. As part of the evening’s entertainment, the team performed for guests, and received a standing ovation. Some of the young boys involved in the program don’t have fathers at home, so Nelson serves as a role model and guide, encouraging them to plan for successful futures. “These young men excel not only on the stage, but in the classroom as well,” Nelson said. He explained that some of the boys already knew what colleges they wanted to attend, the price of tuition, the scholarships available and even the organizations on those campuses. “I’m going to support kids when they want to mimic any Greek organization,” Nelson said. “We [the Greek community] have people that diss us, [but] these boys are not growing up Crips and Bloods and
all that… They’re growing up to be fraternity brothers.” As the judges determined the results, the contestants gathered backstage to touch up makeup and discuss their performances. “I’m very excited,” said junior Ra’Chell Richards. “I’m very grateful to have worked with eight other beautiful, educated women on UMKC’s campus, and whoever wins, I’m just glad that I got a chance to be a part of this.” Erika Pearson shared Richards’ feelings, moments before she was named Second Runner-Up. “I feel like the Alpha pageant was a success,” Pearson said. “I feel like it was a great opportunity and experience for the young ladies.” Jazmine Cooper was awarded Miss Congeniality. But whether the contestants placed in the competition or not, there was a shared feeling of appreciation for simply being involved. jturner@unews.com
Bianca Gantt, Delta Rho’s 2013 – 2014 Miss Black and Gold.