The ladies of the Eta Beta Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta have demonstrated once again that hard work and dedication pays off. The Deltas hosted their 15th annual Mr. 10 Scholarship Pageant on Thursday, Nov. 11, in the Memorial Student Center Auditorium. The innovative pageant theme this year, Harlem Nights, gave the pageant the sense of style that set it out from the rest. The pageant consisted of eight talented gentlemen: Stephen Pace, Jamil Hooper, Edward Gidrey, Ron Bernal, Christopher Bonds, Rylon McDuell-Batist, Eddie White, and Vincent Watts. These gentlemen as well as pageant chair Micole Williams worked diligently to prepare for the event, and the night finally arrived for them to show off their talents.
The opening number started the pageant off in the right direction. The contestants along with members of the organization and the former Mr. 10, Phillip Wade wowed the audience with an ingenious swing dance with a twist that went well with the theme of the pageant.
The auditorium was decorated to take the audience on a journey back to the Harlem Renaissance as portraits of great individuals such as Billie Holiday and historic landmarks of the time such as the Cotton Club embraced the stage.
The contestants opened with the task of proving to be the real Renaissance man as well as deserving the title of Mr. 10. The pageant began with the casual wear segment. The contestants modeled items of clothing that expressed their personalities and without anything being said it all gave the audience a sense of their character. These debonair contestants showed their stuff on stage but one stood out from the rest. Vincent Watts, contestant number 8, stole the show with his casual wear and left the other contestants green with envy.
To assist the audience in the journey back in time members of Phi Mu Alpha jazzed the audience into the setting with the help of Brandie Terrell and Willie J. Stone as the two put the audience in the mood with the lyrics of Alicia Keys. Willie J. Stone then sung his rendition of “Funny Valentine.” There was much more in store for the audience and the best was still yet to come.
Next in line was the moment of truth and the most anticipated segment of any pageant, the talent portion. The gentlemen were not afraid to prove to the audience that they had talent. They showed an assortment of skill and creativity, ranging from serenades to expressions and dedications of love. The contestants made it a close call on who was to win the talent segment. Ron Bernal pulled the show away from the other contestants as he sung his rendition of Superstar by Luther Vandross winning the talent segment.
The show was almost to its climax, but not before the contestants strutted their stuff in their formal wear. Ron Bernal once again stole the show as he charmed the audience in his all black tuxedo accented with a red tie. The winner to be crowned Mr. 10 was now at close call, but the next segment still had a factor on the title.
The question and answer segment of the pageant gave contestants an opportunity to show their impromptu abilities. Ron Bernal triumphed once again in this segment as well.
The time finally arrived for the moment of truth, the crowning of Mr. 10.
Phillip Wade, a senior computer engineering technology major and the former Mr.10 said, “The gentlemen worked hard and all of them should be proud of themselves, I wish whoever may receive the title of Mr. 10 much success in their endeavors.”
After the judges tallied their points Vincent Watts was crowned Mr. 9.9 and Ron Bernal was the overall winner and crowned Mr. 10.