By Joy Moton | Staff Writer
The Pi Mu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated will host the 16th Annual Pink and Green Scholarship Pageant to crown a male student as Mr. 1908, in recognition of the sorority’s founding on January 15, 1908.
The pageant, taking place at 7:08 p.m. Sunday in Barfield Drawing Room, is designed to recognize the scholastic achievements and personalities of young men in the Baylor community.
“Combating the norm is always necessary,” Houston junior and pageant chair Danielle Sherman said. “This male scholarship pageant is giving the males on this campus something to relate to and something that gives them a chance to step out of their comfort zone.”
Four contestants, Houston senior Jacob Farris, Dallas sophomore Michael Ward, Houston junior Wilson Dunn II and Houston junior Kolin Doyle, will be coached and judged based on an interview, introduction, talent, formal wear and question and response session. The pageant is open to any men at Baylor, but because all four of this year’s contestants are black, Alpha Kappa Alpha are using this opportunity to challenge stereotypes and to present a different perspective of young black men at Baylor.
“We are excited to be able to put on a good show and let this serve as a way to end stereotypes about black men in the Baylor community,” Houston junior and pageant committee member Darnelle DesVignes said. “We get to showcase their talent and reward them for all of their accomplishments publicly. We’re expecting a great show and are looking forward to contributing money to males.”
The judges will award the crown based on the contestants’ personalities, ambition, drive and other intrinsic qualities to determine how they can influence the community.
“The audience can expect to be wowed. These young men have been working extremely hard, and they’re going to give people way more than what they expect,” Dallas junior and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sydney Thompson said. “You may know them, you may not, but all four of them have something unique that they bring to the table. Each has his own lovable personality, so that will make it hard to pick a winner.”
The first-place winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship, and the runner-up will receive a $750 scholarship. The sorority will also collect money and donate it to the Boys & Girls Club of Waco. The sorority holds community service at the Boys & Girls club every week and decided to contribute to them after making a disappointing discovery.
“I noticed a note stating they were no longer feeding the children due to their local distributor,” Sherman said. “That is a meal the children look forward to, so we’re trying to help however possible.”
Tickets will be $5 at the door, and light refreshments will be provided.
“People should come to the pageant to participate in Pi Mu history as we revive this wonderful tradition that blesses young men with the opportunity of a lifetime,” New Orleans junior and pageant committee member Allyn Madison said. “It’s a great way to get the community together to celebrate their hard work, excellence, and to uplift one another.”
