Candidates “Star” in 2007 Miss SU Pageant

The campaign trails began anew for ladies seeking positions as representatives of their respective classes on Thursday night in the Felton G. Clark Activity Center. Students convened at 7:30 p.m. to watch as candidates for sophomore, junior and senior classes-as well as the coveted Miss Southern titles-vied for the attention and undecided votes of their fellow students.
Prior to the review, senior mass communications major Eddie Randle of Baton Rouge explained what Miss Southern and other class representatives should embody.
“I feel that she should be able to speak extremely well,” he said. “She should be the epitome of what a classy Southern lady is.”
Outgoing student leaders Student Government President Niiobli Armah IV and Shakeila Sweazie, reigning Miss Southern, emceed the event. They opened “A Walk With the Stars” with a business casual scene, presenting to some and introducing to others, the Miss Sophomore candidates: DeAnna Blue of Monroe, Taylor Brooks of Bloomfield, Conn. and Faith Butler of New Orleans.
Following were Miss Junior, Aria Williams, who was unopposed and Miss Senior hopefuls: Cherae James of Gonzales, Andrea Horn of Kansas City, Mo. and Tyrice Munson of Shreveport.
Vying for the title of Miss Southern University were junior Zakiya Ali of Crowley, junior Dreshelia Branch of Baton Rouge, senior New Orleans native Ashley Myles and Jasmine Smutherman a senior from Rowlett, Texas.
The ladies showcased their casual, swimwear and formal attire collectively, while Miss Southern candidates were allowed to perform talents and were subjected to a question portion of the program.
Between scenes, students were entertained by Louisiana State University dance troupe the Legacy Dancers, as well as Southern’s own Gold-N-Bluez. Students who didn’t attend the April 10 Student Government election debates were allowed to hear presidential candidates Carey Ash, Brittany Bass and Reuben Griffin state their cases once more via a public forum in which why students should elect them.
During the talent portion of the program, Myles, Ali and Branch performed various genres of dance, while Smutherman played both the flute and sang a portion of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from the stage play and motion picture of “Dreamgirls.”
Midway through the program, freshman Lindsey Thomas, a mechanical engineering major from Alexandria said that the program neither helped, nor harmed her decision.
“I think the debate really decides who people should vote for,” she said. “I’m waiting for the question and answer period. Miss Southern should be able to speak well.”
Following formal wear, Miss Southern candidates each chose a question to answer to showcase their articulation and ease of speech within short time frames.
Ashley’s Myles answer in response to the issues that present and future leaders should addressed, she answered that leaders should enhance the image of the university in order to “increased enrollment.”
“I believe that parents should become more active in their children’s lives,” said Ali in response to her question of where has the African American family gone wrong in regards to morals and values. “They should encourage their children to become involved in extracurricular activities so that they become well rounded individuals.”
Smutherman said “it doesn’t determine leadership…or work ethic,” in response to whether one’s grade point average affects the effectiveness of a student leader.
For Branch, she described her last day on earth as one “spent with family, friends, and loved ones” if faced with the issue as her question for the segment of the show.
“Them, apart from God, are the foundation of the hope for the future,” she said.
Closing the program, Sweazie, who thanked her mother, university Chancellor Edward Jackson, System President Ralph Slaughter and the Up ’til Dawn executive board, for their continued support during her reign, walked her final walk as Miss Southern.
With one last look at all candidates, Ali was named Miss Congeniality.
Post program, Nigel Quiroz, a senior political science major from Brooklyn, N.Y. said that the program helped him decide who should win Miss Southern.
“It showed the substance of the candidates,” he said. “It showed how well versed they girls were.”