BRIEF
SAMECA HENDRICKSON | ST THOMAS – After competing in poise, talent, image, and personal/private interview, Elisa M. Thomas, Miss UVI 2014-2015, captured the prestigious title of Miss NBCA Hall of Fame Queens Pageant. Thomas vied for title among 29 other HBCU royalty in Atlanta, Georgia on September 24-28.
University faculty and staff, students and well wishers greatly applaud Thomas on her a job well done!
Feature Article to follow
RIKA RODRIGUEZ|
ST. THOMAS – Despite overcast skies and intermittent showers, the sun made its appearance and so did a crowd on March 9, to enjoy the food, fun, and entertainment.
The University of the Virgin Islands and Virgin Islands Lottery presented Afternoon on the Green’s 25th anniversary themed 25 Shades of Green, on the Herman E. Moore Golf Course.
This annual “friend raiser” brought hundreds of people to the university for family fun and entertainment. The event is centered around local chefs preparing their favorite dishes for tasting, and charging $3 to taste.
The 2013 road-march winners Spectrum Band provided musical entertainment while Tony T of 105 JAMZ hosted the event.
On center stage, the Miss UVI, Carnival Queen and Carnival Princess contestants paraded pageantry as they introduced themselves to the crowd. The newly-crowned Miss Bertha C. Boschulte Middle School made her first public appearance after winning her title the night before.
“Through our ongoing community outreach initiatives, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority presented electric safety through its power-town display,” Linda Ritter, communications assistant said.
Shawn Rawlins, IARA investigator, displayed electrical safety and power line safety, such as lines through trees, safety around down power lines and pad mount transformers.
There were also a number other organizations and departments with displays and presentations for visitors to view. UVI also had a strong presence at the Afternoon on the Green. The Center for Student Success, Access and Enrollment Services and the College and Liberal Arts were a few of the departments present.
The university’s Nursing Association had a popular display that promoted awareness of common illnesses such as high blood pressure.
They also offered free testing for glucose, blood sugar and weight.
FELICIA EMMANUEL|
ST. CROIX – Donning white hats and sundresses, Miss University of the Virgin Islands contestants visited the opening ceremony Saturday, February 15th for this year’s Agricultural and Food Fair.
According to Student Activities Supervisor Hedda Finch-Simpson, the contestants’ visit was to acquire information about the university, meet with administration and network with students. Continue reading St. Thomas Miss UVI Contestants travel to St. Croix for Queen’s Retreat and Agrifest 2014.
Rokeyah Connor |
ST. CROIX- Competing in pageants since the tender age of 10, Ashley Massiah, Miss Virgin Islands 2013, is seen as a force to be reckoned with.
A member of St. Croix majorettes, a coach for the St. Croix Educational Complex majorettes, former dancer for Cruzan Dance, and a member of the Freedensthal Moravian Steel Orchestra, this young lady appears to be very well rounded.
Due to her very strong passion for helping the territory with its violence problem, Massiah’s slogan when running for Miss.Virgin Islands was “Breaking the silence of violence, addressing the violence in our community.”
The 22-year-old University of the Virgin Islands student sat down to discuss her latest pageant. Massiah competed against four other girls for the title of Miss America Virgin Islands 2013 and won. She then went on to compete for the title of Miss America 2013-2014. Although her talents consisted of baton twirling and point dancing live on stage in front of millions of viewers, she did not place in the national competition. However, she was delighted to share her wonderful experience.
Q: Tell me about your experience going to Miss America.
A: My experience for Miss America right now is that it was so much to take in I am still trying to remember everything, But it was a wonderful experience. I got to meet 52 beautiful young ladies; I was the 53rd.
I got to spend time with them in Disney World Orlando, Florida, we had fun and roamed the park. This year’s Miss America was “Welcome back to Atlantic City.” It didn’t feel like you were there for a pageant, the people where very welcoming and the staff for Miss America is amazing.
Q: Any girls in particular that you keep in contact with?
A: Umm I love Miss DC and I love Miss Hawaii. Miss DC’s name is Bindhu Pamarthi and Miss Hawaii is Crystal Lee. We actually had two Crystal Lee’s Miss Hawaii and Miss California, they are both amazing, and they were both my room-mates.
Q: What is the one thing you don’t like to do during pageants?
A: Interviews. I hate Interviews because you never know what they are going to ask you. So sometimes it’s like you don’t want to be asked a question you cannot answer. Then again I have to remember that there is no wrong answer to the questions because it is my opinion. But when running for shows like Miss America it is best to remain neutral on the questions asked so you don’t offend anyone.
Massiah was asked about the KFC comment that she had been ostracised about. Massiah went into a very long explanation but in short she said that she wished people understood that the show is telecast and sometimes what is heard on our television sets may not be what she said.
She wanted to make sure people knew that the question asked was “what will you eat when you go back to your hotel room?” She said that one of the only things in the area was KFC and that was why she said she would be eating KFC when she when to back to her room.
Q: Do you see yourself running for any pageants again in the near future?
A: Currently I am taking a break but I often say that and jump right back into it. I would love to run for Miss USA, I don’t see something wrong in that, but hopefully.
Q: Okay time to get personal! Is Miss Virgin Islands dating anybody?
A: Yes she is!
Q: If you had a daughter would you want her to be in pageants?
A: I would never force her but I would support her if she wanted to compete. On the other hand if she wanted to do sports I would back her in that as well.
Other questions asked were about the pressures of being in a pageant and if she felt that pageants portrayed a negative body image in women.”Once again it depends on the type of pageant that I am running for,” Massiah said. “Miss America is about intellect and not so much the physical appearance. Although I was the thickest one in the pageant that always reminded me that I am beautiful. They say what matters is your inner beauty.”
ANTTOINETTE B. ANDERSON|
ST.THOMAS- Miss University of the Virgin Islands, Murchtricia Charles represented the University of the Virgin Islands in the Miss National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Competition from Sept. 25 – Sept. 29 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.
Charles, whom was accompanied by Student Affairs representative Leon Lafond and Cherie Wheatley, competed for the title against 29 other college queens from Historically Black Colleges and Universities around the country.
She received an abundance of support from the UVI community and the Virgin Islands as a whole.
“The preparation process for Miss UVI’s participation in the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame competition was a blessing. We had been meeting with Mrs. Lisa Wynn-Magnuson, director/owner of The Virgin Islands Etiquette & Leadership Institute who also participated in the same competition several years ago and came in first runner up. Mrs. Magnuson has been consistent with preparing Murchtricia Charles for this event,” Lafond said.
Charles took the initiative to do plenty of research on her own and other preparations to educate herself for the competition that is a part of the university’s tradition.
“Truthfully, I was terrified going into the competition however I saw how welcoming everyone was and it enabled me to open up and be comfortable. The experience was educating and phenomenal overall. I left with new plans for student leadership for the University of the Virgin Islands,” Charles said.
Charles was excited about representing both the Virgin Islands and the University of the Virgin Islands amongst the other Historically Black College and Universities at the competition.
Charles was actively involved in the various sessions/workshops as part of her ambassadorial role at the competition in addition with the other queens. She participated in events such as the Queen’s Tea Party, visited local schools in Atlanta, personal interviews, and the Positive Image program.
“It may seem like a lot but Murchtricia Charles was fully prepared to partake in these events,” Lafond said.
The competition featured women who have been recognized by their respective colleges or universities with the coveted title of “College Queen.” The winner would carry the title of Miss NBCA Hall of Fame.
In addition, the competition provided an opportunity for young women attending our nations Historically Black Colleges and Universities to better prepare for the future.
Though the program places emphasis on excellence, achievement and personal growth, it also strives to make the experience fun.
“There weren’t many challenges in our preparation process. I, along with her chaperone Ms. Cherie Wheatley, her other family and friends, especially her brother Jamal Drummond has been very supportive to her throughout the process,” Lafond said.
“Unfortunately I did not place but it was a wonderful experience,” Charles said. “I learned so much about leadership and got to meet numerous other HBCU kings and queens. I grew as an individual and it was a very spiritual experience that I will never forget.”
Miss University of the Virgin Islands 2012-2013, Ivory Carter represented the Virgin Islands last year in the Miss NBCA Hall of Fame competition. Miss Morehouse College 2012-2013, Jasmine Mathews won the competition last year.
The UVI community wished their ambassador luck and supported Murchtricia Charles as she vied for the title of Miss NBCA Hall of Fame.
UVI VOICE 