DEFENDING THE CROWN

Beauty. Intelligence. Poise. Talent. Grace. These five words perfectly describe the ten ladies vying for the tittle of “Miss Bayou Classic 2001-2002.”
Friday, November 23, a night which promises to be filled with elegance is the date of this year’s pageant. A pageant with such simple beginnings that has now grown to be one of the most anticipated events of Bayou Classic weekend.
The 26th Annual Miss Bayou Classic is being sponsored for the sixth straight year by State Farm Insurance and the Daimler-Chrysler Corporation.
Started in 1974 as a filler between segments of the “Battle of the Bands”, the pageant now has its own venue attracting a different crowd of people.
At its inception the pageant was held at the New Orleans Rivergate. The event was held at the Rivergate in 1974 and 1975 producing Pamela Chestnut and Judy Hinton as its winners. In 1976 the pageant was moved to the Louisiana Superdome, with Roderic Burner as the pageant director.
In 1977 the pageant changed venues after its surge in popularity. At this time the pageant was the featured event of the Presidential Scholarship Ball. The pageant was moved to the Hyatt Regency Hotel in 1978.
Southern University and Grambling State University took over the direction of the pageant in 1980. Under the direction of Donald C. Wade and Roy Jackson the pageant was held at several New Orleans’ sites between the years of 1980 and 1986.
In 1998 GSU’s Ruby Higgins and Southern’s Diane Hack Craig took over the coordination of the pageant.
The pageant, which began as an entertaining sketch between band performances, is now an evening of non-stop excitement.
Twenty-one lovely young ladies here at Southern University competed for the opportunity to be chosen as the five finalists from Southern. The five ladies who were chosen to represent Southern are Candace Clement, Kara Franklin, Jonine Moch, Tiffany Sanders, Shadelia Thomas, and Candice Clement
CANDACE MARIE CLEMENT, a native of Reserve, is a 20-year old junior majoring in Speech Pathology and Audiology. She is the daughter of Willie and Anita Clement. Candace plans to become a successful Speech Pathologist and volunteer her services to those in need. Eventually, she plans to venture off into the business world. In her spare time she enjoys reading, acting, modeling, fashion design, traveling and shopping.
A native of Baton Rouge, KARA NOEL FRANKLIN, is the 19-year old daughter of Larry and Barbara Franklin. Kara is a junior majoring in Electrical Engineering, a TOPS scholar, a member of the Southern University Honors College, and has been on the Dean’s List throughout her college matriculation. When not studying, Kara can be found dancing, modeling, or “surfing the net.”
Nineteen-year old JONINE-AIMEE MOCH, a native Shreveport, is the daughter of Joe and Ozzie Stewart and John and Alice Moch. Majoring in Marketing and minoring in Biology, Jonine plans to work in pharmaceutical sales. At Southern University, Moch is President of the Sophomore class, a volunteer for the Association for Women Students, a Southern University cheerleader, and in her spare time she volunteers at Southern Lab.
TIFFANY NICOLE SANDERS born in Landstuhl, Germany, is the 25-year old daughter of Donna Marie Sanders and the late Clarence Sanders. A resident of Alexandria, Louisiana Tiffany holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Louisiana State University. While attending LSU, she also served as a member of the New Orleans Saintsations. She is currently enrolled in the Southern University Law Center as a third year law student. Upon completion of her studies, Tiffany Sanders aspires to work as a Special Agent in the Office of General Counsel with Federal Bureau of Investigation while upholding the order and ethics of the courts and the profession of law.
SHADELIA ANITA THOMAS, the eldest daughter of Robert and Shelia Thomas, is a 22-year old senior majoring in Nursing, with minors in Psychology and Spanish. Shadelia is active in several campus organizations including the Student Nursing Association, Beta Kappa Chi (Science Honor Society), and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Upon graduation Thomas plans to work as a Registered Nurse before going on to specialize in pediatrics, neonatal care and/or childbirth.
These ladies possess great beauty and intellect.
“The Miss Bayou Classic pageant stands as testimony to the untiring dedication of two universities uniting to present an array of talented young ladies,” said Diane Hack Craig.
The evening will also feature Southern University’s very own Rashaune Denyse Payton, “Miss Bayou Classic 2000-2001” in her last duties as queen.
All students, faculty and alumni are encourage to come support these five visions of loveliness Friday, November 23 at 7p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Tickets are $15 for students with ID’s and $25 for all other persons.