Miss Black and Gold pageant winner announced Saturday
Sherry Gunn, a junior communication disorders and sciences major, won the title of Miss Black and Gold during the annual Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant on Saturday.
The pageant had 12 contestants total including Amber Chatman, a communication studies major, who won the title of Miss Gold as runner up, and Dominique Jones who won the title of Miss Black as second runner up.
The pageant began with an opening dance followed by an introduction of each of the contestants. After which, the contestants performed in categories including swimsuit, talent, evening gown and impromptu question. Also judged was the contestants’ scholarship and grade point average as well as the amount of advertisements they sold before the pageant.
“This was just the best experience,” said Gunn, “I never thought I would do anything like this because I get stage fright.”
Gunn also said she felt her strongest area was her talent.
“After I sang I got like 20 tweets on my phone. People saying, ‘I love your song!'” Gunn said.
Lai-Monte Hunter, one of the pageant judges and a Greek Court coordinator said Gunn was able to connect with the audience well.
This year’s pageant was coordinated by Darius White, a senior family and consumer sciences major as well as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., which hosted the event.
White said the event’s goal was to acknowledge women on campus for their intelligence, poise, talent, beauty and confidence.
The pageant’s theme this year was “A Night in Paris” which to Katana Wilder, a sophomore communication studies major and pageant escort, kept things, “calm and classy,” and that it, “represented the ladies very well.”
The contestants practiced for the pageant for three months, which gives them a chance to perfect their performance but also gain sponsors, sell ads and get to know one another.
Gunn will go on to compete in the district level of the pageant at Illinois State University where she will have a chance to go to regionals and later, nationals.
Seth Schroeder can be reached at 581-2812 or scschroeder2@eiu.edu
