The Panther

Affectionately dubbed the "Big-Girl Pageant," a crowd waited in anticipation for the event to begin Sunday, March 30 in the MSC Auditorium. The start of Phi Nu Pi Week brought a new flavor to Prairie View A&M with the Miss Diamond Diva Plus-Sized Scholarship Pageant.

Hosts and Coordinators Wesley Vinson, Jr. and Jaraé Miles beamed with pride as the "Divine Nubian Queens" strutted their full-figured beauty across the stage.

The African theme, complete with 15 plus-sized dancers and warriors set the tone. Each of the six contestants portrayed an historical African queen, to add a sense of history and purpose. The contestants competed in trendy wear, talent, formal, and question & answer.

Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia provided live music to add energy to the show.

Matthew Nelson stated, "As achievers in every endeavor, it is our (Kappa Alpha Psi's) goal to provide new and innovative programs and events for the student body. We felt that this was definitely something that the campus needed to see."

At the end of the evening, Miss Dionne Buxton, freshman, communications major theatre minor, was crowned the first Miss Diamond Diva. First runner-up, Freshman JaLeesa Beavers, theatre major, said she was happy to just be a part of such a wonderful event. Beavers is also a member of the Gilpin players.

Buxton said with tears of joy, "I spent my entire freshman year in this pageant, and more so than winning, I can't believe that it's all over."

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