Inside…
Miss Hampton University
2008 Miss Hampton University
Javicia Walker Gets Crowned
Sixteen contestants competed in the Miss Hampton University pageant on Sept. 28 in Ogden Hall, but only one was crowned and given the privilege to represent the student body of Hampton University. Javicia Walker a junior business management major, from Prince George County, Md. was crowned the 2007-2008 Miss Hampton University.
"My heart is filled with joy, I am honored to be the next to fill Miss Hampton's shoes. As a junior I feel I can achieve much more because as a senior I will have more responsibilities to accomplish," said Walker.
The theme of this year's pageant was "Where in the World is Miss HU?" The pageant began with the ladies dancing in mock red and black Carmen San Diego style dresses. The well-produced show kept the audience, friends, family and students excited.
The former winners of the Miss Hampton University pageant came to support all the young ladies that competed in the pageant.
"It feels great to pass on the legacy, it was a long and productive year for me," said Rasheeda Waddell, the 2006-2007 Miss Hampton University winner.
Waddell also gave advice to the new Miss Hampton University, "I encourage her to make this year her own, because she is going to feel pressured to uphold the standards of being Miss Hampton."
"I wish all the young ladies much success in their future endeavors, they all have worked very hard for the pageant and they are all winners in my eyes," said Anita Blanton, the 2004-2005 Miss Hampton winner.
The pageant consisted of four segments: lifestyle and fitness, talent, presence and poise, and question and answer. Walker was faced with steep competition. Her competitors included Marquis Bohannon, Ciara Brown, Krystiana Carr, Jamisha Collins, Lauren Jackson, Jasmine Harns, Brandice Hudson, Briana Gibson, Annette Peagler, Elise Preston, Ashley Thomas, Jahnel Timberlake, Nandi Shareef and Dominique Steele.
The runners-up received scholarships and were not left empty handed. The forth runner-up, Krystiana Carr, received $250; the third runner-up, Jasmine Harris, received $500; the second runner up, Dominique Steele, received $700; the first runner- up, Ciara Brown, received $1,000 and Walker received $1,500.
Walker's platform is titled "Speak Out: Develop the Self-Esteem and Character in Children with Lupus."
"I chose to focus on lupus as my platform because I want to be a role model to educate children in the community about lupus and enhance the self-esteem of children that are affected by the disease," said Walker. "I also want to charter the national organization, Alliance for Lupus Research by the end of the year."
Walker was also a contestant in the Gamma Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 2006-2007 Miss Black and Gold Extravaganza, a scholarship pageant that highlights seven young ladies academic achievements and talents. She stood out as being the only sophomore and she performed a monologue entitled: "For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enough" by Ntozake Shange.
"I plan to make students aware of their rights at Hampton," she said. "I have great ideas for seminars that will focus on societal issues, empowerment of women, the issues regarding display my platform."
-Moneque Horsey