New Miss Black and Gold crowned

Cheryl-Anne+Johnson%2C+the+winner+of+the+Black+and+Gold+Scholarship+Competition%2C+hugs+Emonie+Jordan%2C+who+helped+train+the+contestants+and+co-cordinated+the+pageant%2C+after+she+was+crowned+Friday+night+in+the+Martin+Luther+King+Jr.+University+Union+Grand+Ballroom.

Analicia Haynes

Cheryl-Anne Johnson, the winner of the Black and Gold Scholarship Competition, hugs Emonie Jordan, who helped train the contestants and co-cordinated the pageant, after she was crowned Friday night in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union Grand Ballroom.

Analicia Haynes, Editor-in-Chief

Cheryl-Anne Johnson, a junior athletic training major, placed her hands over her mouth and closed her eyes after she was named Miss Black and Gold Friday night.

When Emonie Jordan, one of the coaches and co-coordinators of the pageant, walked over to Johnson on the stage in the Grand Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union and placed the crown on her head, the two embraced in a hug, Johnson’s eyes still closed but her arms wrapped firmly around Jordan.

A few days before the competition, Johnson was asked how she felt about the entire process.

“I went into my cocoon and I feel like the day of the pageant, you will all see a beautiful butterfly that I couldn’t imagine myself being,” Johnson said on Jan. 15.

After her family members and friends gathered on the stage to take pictures with her, hug her, congratulate her and everything else in between, Johnson holding her trophy in one hand and a plaque for Miss Congeniality in the other, said she finally felt like the butterfly she never imagined herself becoming.

The Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Competition was hosted by the Zeta Nu chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

It featured six contestants who competed in seven phases or competitions from best business wear to the talent portion.

Contestants also gave an introduction as the show started, announcing who they are and what their goals are for the future.

Whether it was Brianna Hogan, contestant no. 4 and a senior health administration major, saying that she wanted to open her own hospital or Leah London, contestant no. 3 and a sophomore elementary education major, wanting to help the youth in her community, each of the contestants had their own goals that made them unique.

Which was why Tarve’a Durant, the fraternity’s treasurer, said the judges took so long to pick a winner.

Cheers, chants, some tears and the emcees helped keep the night going.

The emcees kept the audience engaged in between the phases by connecting with them, playing music, asking them to sing along and dance in their seats.

In the end, London was named Miss Entrepreneur for raising the most money in ticket sales, Trieveonna Hardiman was named second runner-up, Hogan was named first runner-up and Johnson was named Miss Black and Gold and Miss Congeniality and won the $500 scholarship.

Durant said the night went well, and there was a better turnout than originally expected.

“It all worked out for the better,” Durant said.

As for Johnson, she said with her new title she wants to continue to promote her platform: making sure the world knows that women have the power to do anything.

Analicia Haynes can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].