Pageantry has long been an event in society. It is supposedly the best way to pick the prettiest, most intelligent and most “qualified” person for the “job” at hand. It can range from baby pageants to the “all mighty” Miss Universe. Among the millions in between are collegiate pageants.
In such a pageant, young co-eds showcase beauty, talent and purpose to their peers, in hopes that a vote will be cast in their favor to be “campus queen”. This is no different on the campus of Southern University. It is once again time to choose Miss Southern University.
The process to elect such a representative for Southern began when it was found necessary to have a female representative for the university. According to the Southern University Archives, the first recorded “Miss Southern” (then known as “Most Beautiful Girl) was Miss Robbie Smith in 1928.
After World War II, the position was renamed Miss Southern, as it is still known today. During these times, before women were actively involved in the Student Government Association, Miss Southern was the highest position a woman held at Southern University, representing students. Such a woman was chosen by popular vote, but not before she was introduced in the Miss Southern Pageant.
Still held today, the pageant also introduces contestants for Miss Sophomore, Miss Junior and Miss Senior. According to www.subr.edu, while each contestant participates in swim wear, evening wear and interview competitions, the talent competition only includes candidates veering for the title of Miss Southern. While no winners are selected on this night, contrary to other pageants, it is an outlet for the young women to make themselves known to potential voters. This event is held in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom in the Smith-Brown Memorial Union on campus.
Before a candidate can even fill her head with dreams of wearing the coveted tiara, she must have certain qualifications. First and foremost, the young woman should have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average and be classified as a senior at the university. Secondly, she must past the SGA constitutional test. That’s right, Miss Southern must have some political knowledge. According to Rose Roche, a 15-year former coordinator for the pageant, “Miss Southern is determined by the political campaign regardless of the pageant.”
Once the young woman has passed the test, she can then begin her hopeful journey to royalty. There is much campaigning and networking to be done. Over the years, candidates for Miss Southern have spent countless dollars, time and dedication in hopes of possessing the title of Miss Southern.
Besides intelligence, an ideal Miss Southern should also posses school spirit, be poised and able to reach out to the community and students.
Once selected, Miss Southern represents the university in a variety of settings. From programs to football games, she is literally the “hostess of the University,” says Roche.
Besides being the face of Southern, it has been tradition for Miss Southern to adopt a project dedicated to the concerns of the students at Southern. Some past projects include adopting classes at the lab school and a campus wide “clean up campaign.”
Another “bonus” of being Miss Southern in the past, is that she automatically qualified to be a contestant in the Miss Collegiate African American Pageant. Although no longer in existence, the pageant was very prestigious among the Black college community. Contestants from such schools as Spelman, Howard and Tuskegee competed at this national level. In the past, Miss Southern has placed several times in the competition, winning the title once.
This year’s Miss Southern pageant was held Thursday, April 11, 2002 in the Union. And as tradition stands, candidates were definitely showcased.
