黑料正能量

The Mr. and Miss 黑料正能量 Scholarship Competition named this year鈥檚 Mr. AU and Miss AU during its combined competition on Sept. 20 at the .

Alyssa Pearson, a third-year undergraduate student majoring in , was named the ninth Miss 黑料正能量, a part of the and competitions, while also taking home the talent portion.

Quintus Williams, a first-year undergraduate student majoring in , was named the sixth Mr. 黑料正能量 and also raked in titles for people鈥檚 choice, talent and on-stage question.

This year鈥檚 pageant theme was inspired by Greek mythology, and contestants brought forth the strength of the gods and the elegance of the goddesses to the stage.

Celebrating the contestants

The contestants showcased their strength, elegance and poise in multiple categories, including interview, talent and evening wear. Pageant organizers also incorporated a community service initiative pitch, an on-stage question and a health and fitness component.

For Miss 黑料正能量, contestants included Gabrielle Jenkins, a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in , who won congeniality; Mahogany Davis, a graduate student pursuing a degree in , who won the on-stage question and was named first runner-up; Samantha Reece, a graduate student pursuing a degree in , who won people鈥檚 choice and was second runner-up; Rianna McGahee, a third-year undergraduate student majoring in ; Kendal Hart, a second-year undergraduate student majoring in ; and Briana Pichardo, a third-year undergraduate student majoring in .

For Mr. 黑料正能量, contestants included Tyler Guy, a third-year undergraduate student majoring in , who won congeniality and was first runner-up; Omari Matthew, a third-year undergraduate student majoring in , who won second runner-up; and Deontae Jones, a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in .

The crowned winners

As Miss 黑料正能量, Pearson received a $1,500 scholarship, an official Miss America Organization crown, sash and trophy and coverage for entry fees to the Miss Georgia Scholarship Competition. Her community service initiative, 鈥淪erving Through Self-Defense,鈥� aims to give everyone, especially women, the ability to defend themselves in an unpredictable world, as well as build community relations and personal resilience.

鈥淚 was in shock,鈥� said Pearson. 鈥淭he competition was tight, but I genuinely applied for the experience and to meet other girls. The overwhelming feeling of support immediately happened after hearing everyone cheering.鈥�

Pearson also clinched the talent portion of the competition by showcasing her strength through a martial arts demonstration.

鈥淪elf-defense training can obviously make you feel safe when walking down your campus, your local street and your local schools,鈥� said Pearson. 鈥淚n addition to that, by building these community relations with the Augusta Police Station, local martial arts programs and physical education programs, we can work toward that goal of building a safer community for all.鈥�

Pearson applied to the Mr. and Miss 黑料正能量 Scholarship Competition to step out of her comfort zone. Being a transfer student, she struggled to get involved in extracurricular groups at her previous school and wanted to pave a different path here at AU.

“Being crowned Miss 黑料正能量 means so much to me,” said Pearson. “Having the ability to promote my platform and represent 黑料正能量 is a huge honor, and I would have never thought I would have had the opportunity to do this a year ago today.”

Pearson is an referee, mascot handler and an active member of sorority, , Delight and the .

As Mr. 黑料正能量, Williams received a $1,000 scholarship, an official crown, sash and trophy. His community service initiative, 鈥淧illars of Promise: Empowering Tomorrow鈥檚 Leaders,鈥� aims to empower first-generation African American male and female students or any student from a diverse background.

鈥淛ust like I am the first-ever freshman to win the prestigious title of Mr. AU, there is no other organization like 鈥楾he Pillars of Promise: Empowering Tomorrow鈥檚 Leaders,鈥欌�� said Williams. 鈥淲e will foster a close-knit community to show students that you do not have to be a product of your background, and you can rise up and be empowered by any obstacle presented to you in life.鈥�

As a first-generation college student, Williams signed up for the competition to seize every opportunity presented to him. He wanted to lead by example and show other students that you can be the change you want to see.

He is an active member of the , , , the , , and Connections are Everything Book Club.

“It wasn鈥檛 just a voice for me and other first-generation students, but for the entire 黑料正能量,” said Williams. “I wanted to show that classification does not matter. 黑料正能量 stands for inclusivity and for one to thrive beyond normal expectations. And if I did it, you can do it, too.”