A golden moment

The young women dazzled on stage as they strutted down the runway in their colorful evening gowns. The elegantly dressed women were contestants in the 10th annual Alpha Phi Alpha Miss Black and Gold scholarship pageant Saturday night. Each woman was escorted by distinguished Alpha Phi Alpha members wearing black suits and gold patterned ties. \nThis scholarship pageant was established by the national chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Inc., to empower and celebrate college women. Chapters across the country hold pageants around this time of year so they can send their contestants on to the competitions at the local and national level. For the past 10 years, this pageant has been rewarding hard-working and talented female students on the IU campus. This year, contestants received $1000 in scholarships. \nWearing a full length white gown, IU freshman Alexis Carter was crowned the new Miss Black and Gold.\nJason Lee, an Alpha Phi Alpha member and pageant coordinator, said three months of hard work paid off.\n"I was impressed with the contestants," he said. "The evening gown part was very classy."\nCarter is a pre-radiography major, with goals of becoming an independent radiologist after graduation.\n"I want to be the best at whatever I do" is Carter's motto, and it shows. Originally from Gary, Carter graduated eighth in her high school class. She showed good sportsmanship at the event as she smiled and hugged supporters.\n"It feels great. I had fun. I am very excited," Carter said. "The pressure is fine because I have done this before."\nAlthough Carter has won Miss Midwest 2001 and 2002, she said she was surprised at being voted Miss Black and Gold 2002.\n"Even though I was confident, I had my doubts," she said.\nThe selection process consisted of 10 to 20 minute interviews the night before and their performance in the pageant. The girls were judged on their poise and appearance, which included modeling formal wear, creative expression, talent, goals and achievements and question and answers. \nThough Carter said her appearance was significant to her winning, she said the question and answer section was even more important. \n"The question and answer and the goals and achievement part and how we project ourselves is going to be judged most harshly," she said. \nContestants wowed the crowd during the talent competition by singing, playing the saxophone, reciting poetry, dancing and delivering monologues, among other things. \nEven though Carter was nervous about the talent portion of the pageant, the crowd recognized her talent by giving her a big round of applause after she performed a song.\nCarter received a $500 scholarship check and will participate in the district pageant. If she wins, she will continue onto the regional pageant where she has a chance to go the national Alpha Phi Alpha Miss Black and Gold Pageant. \nThe pageant consisted of eight contestants from all from Indiana. \nAmber LaReau, a sophomore contestant, was fine with the small number of competitors.\n"We didn't know each other at first; everybody got a chance to know each other," LaReau said.\nThe women were supportive of each other and said they made new friends. \n"We wanted each other to win; we are each other's support," sophomore Tiffany Sanders said.\nSenior Rickesha Ewing-Spates, first runner-up, was happy with the end result.\n"Alexis deserved it; I am very happy. I am happy because I did win," she said. "I felt in my heart I was going to place."\nKeon Gilbert, an Alpha Phi Alpha member and judge for the evening, said the poise and appearance portion and question and answer section were most reflective of the women's personalities. \nSenior Arnold Lane, an Alpha member, said this is a great opportunity for young women on campus.\n"The pageant shows our appreciation for women, and people can come and see talented young ladies upholding a high standard," he said.\nSenior Joel Githiri, an Alpha member, agreed.\n"It gives them a chance to do something they wouldn't otherwise do and to meet new people," he said. "At first people might think it odd a fraternity organized this event, but we have a positive reputation. We put scholarship first and academics first; it might be a surprise but it's a scholarship contest, not a beauty pageant." \nAt the end of the event, the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity surprised those in attendance by showcasing their newly crossed Alpha Phi Alpha members. It was the highlight of the evening. The crowd shouted and cheered as sophomores Darryl Watkins, Ueline Newmon and Lonnie Tate celebrated their new found brotherhood. The men entered the room wearing black and gold painted masks and stomping to Alpha praises, displaying their pride in the Alpha Phi Alpha organization. \n"I am proud to be an Alpha male," Watkins said. \nLee said overall the event was a success.\n"I will be celebrating for the girls and the new Alpha Phi Alpha members," he said.