Angela Christine Beard, a freshman communication disorders and sciences major from Phoenix, was the winner Saturday of the Miss Black EIU 2003 pageant.

“I was surprised. I was overwhelmed with joy. It was mostly disbelief because I won in all four categories. I was in shock,” Beard said.

This year’s pageant marked the end of the reign of Kia Che’Vaughn Gowder, a senior psychology major.

The title of the Miss Black EIU pageant 2003 was “Do you remember me, the black woman?” The purpose of the theme is to remember and honor all women, not just black women, Gowder said. However, the focus was primarily on black women and their struggle, from African queens to present.

Contestants for the title of Miss Black EIU 2003 included Ashayla Scott, a sophomore management major from Peoria; Kaylin Gordon, a freshman speech communication major from Calumet Park, and Beard.

The contestants were judged according to creative expression, talent, African garment and evening gown competitions, as well as their response to an impromptu question.

“I thought it was a great experience,” Gordon said. “It was different. It helped me get over stage fright. It’s a lot of work; you have to be committed, but overall it was good.”

Contestants competed for scholarships, prizes and special awards, in addition to special recognition awards for Miss Congeniality, Miss Togetherness, Miss Enterprise, Miss Ebony and Miss Scholarship.

The Miss Ebony award was given to Gordon, the Miss Scholarship and Miss Enterprise awards were given to Scott and Miss Congeniality and Miss Togetherness were awarded to Beard.

“It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s a lot of fun. It’s worth it and I encourage any women to participate in it if they have the opportunity,” Scott said.

The contestants were given

plaques for each special recognition award and Beard received a trophy in all three categories of the pageant.

Some prizes given to contestants throughout the pageant included gift certificates, jewelry, bed sets, a TV and DVD player.

The opening number of the pageant included a dance and formal introduction of the contestants to the crowd and judges. Each contestant represented a different characteristic of a women: strength, wisdom and courage, Gowder said.

In the creative expression category, contestants were given the opportunity to speak on an issue of great importance to them and express that issue in a creative manner, Gowder said.

Scott spoke about AIDS, Gordon spoke on being a slave to fashion and Beard spoke on alcoholism and dealing with drinking and driving.

The second category of the pageant was the African garment section, Gowder said. The essay written by each contestant telling what African American heritage meant to them was read as each contestant modeled an African garment of their choice.

The talent portion was the third category of the pageant. Gowder said two contestants displayed dance as their talent and one contestant sang.

During the final category of the pageant contestants modeled an evening gown and and answered an impromptu question, Gowder said.

The duties of Miss Black EIU include participating in campus functions and she is obligated to speak at organization’s functions when asked if her schedule permits, Gowder said. Also, in events of the Black Student Union holds, she is responsible for making an appearance or helping out in any way possible.She should also be involved in the community.

It is not mandatory, but a goal of Miss Black EIU is to put together an event she would like to sponsor. This year Jonathan Pettis, the winner of the “Essence of a Man” pageant, the equivalent of a Miss Black EIU pageant, will be her counterpart in sponsoring an event and both will reign together and be positive role models on campus.

Miss Black EIU also will be responsible for planning next year’s Miss Black EIU pageant.

“I would like to become more involved with the campus and one of the responsibilities as Miss Black EIU is to coordinate the pageant for the following year and when I first entered the pageant I was not sure of that responsibility. I’m a freshman and I thought it was going to be so hard to be in the pageant but it was all worth it,” Beard said.

“I want to do some community service, I want to use the title as an advantage to represent Eastern’s African American women. I would like to let the campus know anyone could achieve a goal if they put their mind to it and if it’s something they really want to do, don’t let anyone talk them out of it,” Beard saod.