To predict a pageant winner, listen to the overwhelming chants of the audience. Just as the cheers of Tuesday’s eveningwear-clad audience predicted, Ms. Whitney Adams won the crown at the 2008 Lady Dubois Scholarship Pageant. The event was hosted by the Talented Tenth, Inc., and was Tuesday, April 8 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the LSC Ballroom.
“I feel ecstatic-I was so nervous. I just went blank on stage when I heard contestant number four. I was just so overwhelmed with joy and I was just so thankful,” Adams said.
The six contestants vying for the title were Chansity Diles, Desiree Taylor, Rachel Godwin, Whitney Adams, Assumpta Nwaneri and Darnell Barnett.
The program opened with a prayer, followed by a musical performance and introductions. The ladies competed in casual wear, swim wear, a talent competition, and a question and answer session, as well as choreographed dances. In between acts, there were
For the fourth year, the ballroom was decked out by designer Jaenetra Lewis. The theme for the pageant was “Shut Up and Drive”, based on the song by Rhianna.
“We had colors, graffiti art — a lot of energy. The guys were great, the girls were great, and it was a lot of fun working with each other. [Kirk] let me put sprinkles on everything and let me do what I wanted to do,” Lewis said.
The Talented Tenth, Inc. is a campus organization sharing the philosophies of Mr. W.E.B. Dubois, according to member Timondrick Richard. They give back to the community, supporting the efforts to aid and maintain the successful minority presence on campus.
The Lady Dubois pageant in particular is one major effort by the Talented Tenth, Inc. to give back to the community.
“We throw this pageant to give back to the community,” coordinator Kirk Johnson said. “There’s not a lot of scholarships out there primarily for minorities, so as part of our organization what we do is try to guide the masses away from contamination and the death of the worst.
“Anything that can give back to the community is what this organization is about. We try to give as much money as we can- we try to top that amount every year.”
“This is the fifth annual [pageant], we hope to have a tenth and a fifteenth” Kirk Johnson?pullquote!