Miss Southern donates $10K

Miss Southern University, Sharika King, announced Sept. 9 that the $10,000 originally proposed to supplement her coronation will be donated to the Southern University Hurricane Relief Fund to aid college students displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
“There is a greater need to serve my fellow students by donating than to have a recording artist perform at my coronation” King said.
R&B recording artist Rome, known for his single, “I Belong To You,” was initially scheduled to perform, but now Miss Southern will be serenaded by Southern University’s own Keith Jacobs.
“Sophisticated decorations and musicians for an event are not important when there are students who need books and other essential supplies for school and everyday living,” King said.
King’s allocation was originally set aside by the Student Government Association, which will be held in the Cotillion Ballroom Friday. But after Hurricane Katrina devastated the home and lives of some of Southern’s own students, she was granted approval by SGA President Justin McCorkle to donate the money towards relief efforts.
“The coronation will be much more satisfying knowing that I helped students in greater need,” King said. “It’s the people that make an event such as this one special, not elaborate decorations or special performances.”
King’s kindness has not gone unrecognized.
She has received praises from her peers.
“The fact that the money is going directly towards the students relief, I think that she made an excellent choice,” said Ashley Holliday, a senior elementary education major from Zachary.
Whitney Green, a freshman electrical engineering major from Maringouin, expressed her feelings about Miss Southern’s generosity.
“Because we live in such a selfish environment, I think it’s great that she is showing sympathy,” Green said. “The government’s relief is coming very slowly, so everyone should continue helping with the relief effort.”
King’s advice to students who cannot afford to donate large sums of money is to be compassionate towards displaced students and try to donate essential, everyday materials.
“If you’re unable to donate, just visiting shelters and being friendly will go a long way,” King said. “Only God knew this disaster was going to happen.
“No one is to blame for these unfortunate circumstances,” she said. “But everyone should have a hand in the recovery process, because it could have been you that was displaced.”