2008 Woodie Awards
A Contest That Makes Stars
The Pan African Student Union's Night at the Apollo
By Whitney Nichole Stevens
Issue date: 2/26/07 Section: Campus Life
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Reginald Marc, senior Psychology major and President of PASU, and Uchenna Anonyuo, senior Political Science major and President of the African Student Association and the Nigerian Student Association, were a great team hosting the night's events. They were funny, exciting, and really got the crowd going. Cynthia "CeCe" Newman, junior Psychology and Criminal Justice major, played the role of Kiki Sheppard or CeCe Sheppard as they called her. But the event couldn't start without the help of Cymone Coker, junior Media and Film major and an active member of PASU, with the reading of PASU's pledge to the red, black, and green flag.
Throughout the night, there were poets, singers, rappers, topped off with music that kept the audience bouncing in their seats. First up was Porsha Bennett, sophomore Psychology major reading a poem she wrote entitled "Your Definition of a Champion". In her poem, Porsha captured the essence of what its like to be a woman scorned. Usher, Omarion, Ne-yo, and Chris Brown better watch out! Next up was an original song entitled 'Something So", from the talented and soulful Van' Ness, junior Marketing major. Van'Ness definitely had all the ladies saying yes with his sultry voice, making it clear that he knows how to treat a woman.
In between acts, there were a series of dance contests where eager audience members could "show what they got". Hair and arms were flying to the beat of the "dutty wind" while others swayed their hips two- stepped to the old' school hits reminding everyone of the good ol' days. But nothing compared to the music styling's of Zakea Stewart, sophomore English Education major. Zakea blew everyone away with her rendition of "Listen" from the DreamGirls soundtrack. She put a hurting on the song so bad, even Beyonce would have had to do a double-take. At the end of the night, Zakea took home the hundred dollar gift certificate for her amazing performance.
Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Michael Jackson, artists we have come to know and idolized over the years all got their start on the Apollo stage. The Little Theatre stage might not be the world famous Apollo, but we've all got to start somewhere. The evening's contestants proved they had what it takes to play in the big leagues. So if you've got talent, know someone with talent, or just enjoy a great show, make sure you don't miss the next Night at the Apollo.
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