Dim lights and soft soothing music set the tone for the 2004 Homecoming Coronation Ball held in the Memorial Student Center (MSC) Auditorium, Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m.By invitation only, those in attendance witnessed the unveiling of “The Annual King & Queen’s Ball, A Red Carpet Affair.”
Narrated by Endira Hawkins and Phillip Wade, “The Palace of Pantherland” introduced the royal families of the reigning Mr. & Miss Prairie View A&M University, the President and First Lady of Prairie View, Dr. and Mrs. George C. Wright, the ambassador of Pantherland, Nigel Redmond, Mr. Prairie View ’03-’04 Reginald Bachus, Miss Prairie View ’03-’04 Lori Freeman, and the outer court which consisted of representatives of various organizations.
To set the ambiance of “The Palace of Pantherland,” the preparation of the royal chambers was arranged with an African Dance performed by Prairie View’s Classic Dance Ensemble. Dressed in elegant ballroom gowns and tuxes, the inner court included freshman class queen Kaylan Colbert and king Antonio Barnes, sophomore class queen Danielle Williams and king Aaron Holloway, junior class queen Brittany Pollard and king Michael Miller, senior class queen Arthrayia Love and king Curtis Ray. Others were second runner-up for Miss Prairie View, Demequa DeRousselle and her escort MacDonald Whetstone, first runner-up for Miss Prairie View, Elan Wilson and first runner-up for Mr. Prairie View, Lowell Coleman. They entered and graced the palace and red carpet where their royal seating awaited.
Placed center stage, the gold thrones were set for Mr. Prairie View ’04-’05, David Harris and Miss Prairie View ’04-’05, Christi Cummings.Prairie View’s own Willie J. Stone, a former Mr. University College, sang “She’s Your Queen to Be.” Once Mr. & Miss Prairie View poised on the red carpet and were seated on their thrones, gifts were presented to them and the inner court.
Upon the dismissal of the program, the audience attended a reception hosted in the MSC Ballroom. At 9 p.m. students, staff, and family members filled the ballroom and anticipated the entrance of the inner court and Mr. & Miss Prairie View.
Shortly after their appearance, they opened with a modish waltz to “The Closer I Get to You” by Luther Vandross featuring Beyonce Knowles. Pictures were snapped, cheers were given and then an evening of dining and dancing completed the 2004 Coronation’s “A Red Carpet Affair.”
Patrick Campbell, Mr. Panther Advisor Leader, stated, “Although there weren’t as many people in attendance as previous years, the coronation was still a success and very elegant.