Atlanta, GA- This past weekend, the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation hosted it’s 33rd Annual Black College Queens Competition during it’s Hall of Fame Weekend in Atlanta, Georgia. The pageant featured 35 Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Queens, of which Miss Howard University placed second-runner up.
To narrow down the contestants, there was a series of events, interviews, presentations, and activities that the queens participated in during the days leading up to the pageant. They were scored on these items, and the top ten were announced after the Grand Processional Queen Introduction.
“I loved very much that it was teaching and educating the women…and how important it is to give back. I really appreciated the time when the students went to schools from around the Atlanta area to talk about what it meant to be a member of their community from an HBCU experience,” said Katherine Outlaw, the director of Student Life and Activities for Howard University, “It’s important to give back especially to let young women know how important beauty and black beauty is and what that looks like from all various shapes, sizes, and colors.”
The top ten queens then went on to compete in the talent portion of the competition, which included a variety of monologue performances, dancing, and singing. Following jude deliberations, the top five contestants that advanced to compete in the final rounds were: Miss Howard University (Kayla Waysome), Miss Lincoln University Pennsylvania (Lamia Casey), Miss Morehouse College (Anta Njie), Miss Morgan State University (Brittany Dorsey), and Miss Virginia State University (Ja’Scotta Jefferson).
The final rounds included an oratorical competition where the queens gave speeches on the topic of “Black Colleges: Roots of the Black Community”, and the presentation/image competition where they showcased their ball gowns as their impressive biographies were read. Upon final deliberations, Miss Howard University won second runner-up, Miss Morgan State University won first runner-up, and Miss Morehouse College was crowned 2018-19 Miss National Black College Hall of Fame.
“I am so very proud of Kayla. I have been watching her grow…and every time she has a pageant, oh my goodness, I can see the growth. I am beyond proud of her, and I know that she will go on and do great things. And whatever this situation is, whatever the outcome, she’s always a winner in my sight,” said Cheryl Waysome, Miss Howard University’s mother.
Additional awards were presented to Miss Livingston College (Shelby Hunt) for selling the most advertisements, Miss Bowie State University (Monique Scott) for outstanding community service, Mr. Coppin State University (James Young IV) for Mr. Congeniality, and Miss University of the Virgin Islands (Kendra Kent) for Miss Congeniality.
Miss Howard University summed up her sentiments regarding her experience with,
“There is something really beautiful in trusting in God’s plan for your life. You stay at peace, you feel comfortable to be authentic, and you embrace life more fully. My experience at NBCA Hall of Fame was nothing short of beautiful…I am so grateful for the opportunity to have represented my beloved Howard University, develop bonds with Queens across the nation, and unapologetically advocate for the empowerment of progress of the black community. I have more work to do – but for now I just want to say thank you to everyone for always supporting me and speaking life into my dreams,” said Kayla Waysome, Miss Howard University.