2008 Woodie Awards
Queen Of The Nile/Pharaoh Of The Diaspora Pageant
By Whitney Nichole Stevens
Issue date: 6/18/07 Section: Campus Life
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The show opened with the introduction of the pageant participants. Many of whom are active or upcoming student leaders. Claudette Rolling, Tiffany Artis, Angela Barrett, Ashante Barnes, Samantha "Stubby" Thompson, Cameron Hunter, Marcus Bright, Brandon Brewer, Victor Thomas and Uchenna Anonyuo all showed up and tried to win the crown. The pageant contestants walked gracefully across the stage decked out in their best attire ready to compete for the honorable title. Reginald Marc, the immediate past President of PASU, hosted the event. He was his usual charismatic self, serving jokes to anyone who would listen. Keeping the crowd on their toes and entertained during the show.
The pageant consisted of four categories, cultural wear, evening wear, sleepwear, and a talent showcase. The most exciting part of the pageant was the talent showcase. The contestants came armed with a variety of talents each unique in their own way. Marcus, Uchenna, and Angela performed original pieces of poetry. Cameron danced a duet with SFN President Sandhya Celestin to Kanye West and Brandy's "Hold Me Down". Claudette tapped her way on and off the stage to the sound of her own drum, accapella style. Samantha, a well-known member of SFN, did what she does best and stepped her heart out with the help of her fellow group members Janille Frank and Dominique Clerk.
Victor Thomas paid tribute to Omarion, dancing to the hit songs "O" and "Touch". The most creative talents over all were Brandon and Ashante. Ashante, a beauty queen in her own right, gave all the ladies in the audience an excellent crash course in the art of applying makeup. While Brandon, on the other hand, left the audience shocked and appalled by taking a noodle from an ordinary cup of noodles and pulling the noodle from his nose through his mouth.
Sandhya said, "This was our first annual pageant and it was very successful. Reggie did a great job with hosting and the overall show was excellent. Hopefully PASU and SFN can continue the pageant and make it an annual event. I would like to thank the ladies of SFN for all their hard work, DJ Phoenix for keeping the crowd hyped, and Student Organization for allowing us to have the pageant."
In the end, Ashante walked away crowned as the Queen of the Nile and Uchenna became this year's Pharaoh of the Diaspora. The first place winners were also awarded gift cards in the amount of $100. The second and third runners-up did not walk away empty handed. The second runners-up, Brandon and Claudette received $75 gift cards. The third runners-up won $25 dollar gift cards. Hat's go off to PASU and SFN for putting on such a great event. We can only expect bigger and better things in the future.