Mr. Debonair pageant proves to be a success

and solidified his crown with a kiss to his mother during the talent portion of the 2012-2013 Mr. Ebony Debonair Pageant Thursday, Oct. 4.
 As the first Mr. Ebony Debonair pageant since 2007, the Zeta Gamma chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., has been preparing for this pageant since February, and the five months of preparation was evident.
 This summer Gore learned to play the piano.
 "For my talent, I wanted to do spoken word, but everyone was doing spoken word so I had to throw my own twist to it," said the senior health major. "I wrote a letter to my mom, but I wanted an instrumental to play during the voice over of the letter so that people would have an idea of the song I was playing on the piano."
 A tearful Gore presented his mother with flowers ending his talent, and Twitter began buzzing with accolades for Gore. The Lake Jackson native won the viewer's choice award and scored high marks for audience participation.
 "I think that he probably got five during the crowd participation part of the pageant," said judge and communication instructor Endira Hawkins. "A lot of people have been raised by single parents, so it helped him relate to his audience. "
 Hawkins noted Gore's consistency throughout the pageant.
 "He was a really good contestant especially during his personal interview," said Hawkins. "He talked about the pageants that he wants to put on and how he wants to be a role model for other young boys who grew up in a single-parent household."
 Gore believes that holding this title will help him to be a better role model.
 "Everyone is a leader and a role model whether they know it or not," said Gore. "There is always someone who is looking at you and what you are doing so you can be a positive role model or a negative role model."
 Gore said coming up with a talent was the hardest part of competition for him.
 "Lots of people do not want to do a pageant because they think they don't have a talent," he said. "If I can do it, anyone can do it, and do not let thinking you do not have a talent keep you from doing a pageant."
 AKA president and senior mass communication major Jalisa Jones is proud of all the pageant contestants and how hard they competed.
 "The AKAs do not put their name on anything that is not successful," she said. "The pageant was so successful and better than I imagined."
 The pageant contestants encouraged each other. From giving advice on formal wear attire to deciding on a beach wear performance. The contestants helped each other keep their spirits up throughout the competition.
 "I like to live by the Nike motto, 'Just Do it,'" said Gore. "Don't live by any
excuses, and if you want to do something, just do it. Just make it happen."