Chauntrice Gay was crowned the 34th Miss Black and Gold for the Eta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., on Jan. 29 in the Opal Johnson Smith auditorium.
The parents, students and guests were all at hand to see the highly anticipated event. The pageant, themed “The First Lady: The Beginning Reign of Power,” was one of the many events during Alpha week. Pageant coordinator and senior accounting major Jemiah Richards appeared very excited about the event. In his opinion, this year’s pageant was much more than just five females on stage among a crowd of people.
“The theme for this pageant was inspired greatly by Barak Obama and his wife Michelle’s accomplishments. It’s a historical event, because change represents a new beginning. Michelle Obama is the first black woman in the White House, so it’s only fitting that this year’s pageant honors Mrs. Obama,” said Richards.
Alumni Mark Williams and Endira Hawkins, Miss Black and Gold 2005-2006, were the evening’s master and mistress of ceremony. Williams said, “I believe it’s a great experience for the school and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity to have a formal event like this, because it displays a sense of class, poise, and elegance to the students of PVAMU. I’m glad to be hosting this pageant, because I know that I am helping my brothers out, which is very important to me because without them, I wouldn’t be the man I am today.”
The evening started with an opening dance ceremony performed by the contestants, and shortly after the contestants introduced themselves in a rather dramatic fashion. The five contestants were Troyla Washington, a freshman communications major, Chenzira Hemphill, a junior accounting major, Brittany Johnson, a junior biology major, Christina Bonds, a junior chemistry major and Gay, a junior mass communications major. In order to win the pageant, the young ladies had to impress the judges in five different areas. First, the ladies showed off their physical fitness during the swim suit segment of the pageant. Then, the participants had to showcase their love for the arts in the talent segment. After that, there was an evening gown segment, where the young ladies put on the glitz and glamour in their fabulous attire. The contestants’ intelligence and wits were also tested, as they were asked an impromptu question. Previous to what the audience witnessed, each contestant was also scored on an individual, private interview.
After each segment was held, it was time for the judges to make their final decisions. Washington won Miss Congeniality and Most Ads Sold, Gay also nabbed Best Interview and Best Talent, and Johnson received Best Swimwear. Hemphill won first runner-up and was crowned as Miss Epsilon Tau Lambda 2009-2010.
“It was great winning, I worked really hard, and I’m very excited,” said Gay.
The audience seemed to enjoy the show as well. Sherrod Owens, a senior finance major, said, “The Alphas are doing something positive, so I’m always going to be supportive of anything positive.”