On Sunday, April 3, 2016, Alcorn State University hosted its Miss Alcorn State University (ASU) pageant in the James L. Bolden Union Ballroom in Lorman, MS at 4:00 pm. The pageant, under the sponsorship of Alcorn State University, is an outgrowth of the long tradition of the university designating outstanding young ladies to serve as its campus queens.
This year, three courageous young women stepped outside of their comfort zones to announce their candidacy and vie for the title of Miss Alcorn State University 2016-2017. These individuals were upcoming seniors Whitney Jackson, Lauren Erby, and Kymberli Reynolds.
The candidates all had different campaign tactics and slogans. Lauren Erby asked the student body to rock P.O.L.O. (Providing Outstanding Leadership Opportunities) and vote for her. Meanwhile, Whitney Jackson asked students to Take Action and Vote Jackson. Contrarily, Kymberli Reynolds asked the students to be B.R.A.V.E. (Building Relationships and Values for Everyone) like the school mascot and vote for her. During their campaigns, these ladies undoubtedly realized that the road to becoming Miss ASU wouldn’t be easy. However, the hard times that they faced have proven to be beneficial to their overall personal development.
The Miss ASU pageant is an event that takes place in the Spring semester of each academic year and provides the participants with an opportunity to showcase their talents and be honored for their high scholastic abilities, hard work, accomplishments and commitment to service on their campus and at-large. Each contestant showcased their talent and beauty through a series of categories. They were also required to answer questions pertaining to current events, political issues, and the plans that they intended to initiate if they were elected into office. The categories included: Business Attire, Casual Attire, Talent, Evening Gown, and Question & Answer. Guests were treated with intermission performances by various students and student organizations.
The Miss ASU pageant enhances student life at Alcorn State University. It allows the candidates to present their platforms to their peers, family, and friends. It highlights the achievements of the candidates as well as their ideas for the upcoming academic school year while providing a fun filled show which engages and educates the Alcorn community.