The Panther

Media Credit: Ronald Smith

Chelsee Hill was crowned the 2009- 2010 Miss Prairie View A&M University April 22 in the Opal Johnson-Smith Auditorium. The 40th Annual Scholarship Pageant was themed "The Prototype: A Vision of a Queen" and featured eight young ladies vying for the crown. Hill, a junior psychology major, said, "I am very, very happy. I'm on cloud nine and I'm very excited for the next year." Contestants were judged in several categories including swimsuit, preliminary interview, impromptu question and answer, and talent. During the introduction of the contestants, the crowd was entertained with a unique blend of techno music and hip-hop. Contestants were featured break dancing. "I liked the entire theme," said Michelle Chapman, a junior animal science major. "The introduction was really good and unexpected." Hill won the talent portion of the competition with her dramatic monologue on black women empowerment. "I support black women in everything that we do," said Hill. "I thought that not only would it be a good monologue, but I felt like it was something that needed to be said and the audience's reaction was wonderful." Yetunda Olusanya, a senior chemistry major, performed a monologue about African kings; Dana Polk, a junior communications major, sang Alicia Keys' "Superwoman"; Yermesha Kyle, a junior biology major, performed a jazz dance; Alyssa Rhodes sang acapella to "Good Love" by Anita Baker and Chinasa Nnamani, a junior education major, ministered through a praise dance. "All of the girls did really good and it was a tough and tight competition," said Chapman. "It was to the point where you didn't know who would win the crown." Hill won the award voted on by her peers as the most helpful and positive, Miss Congeniality, and was a part of the threeway- tie for impromptu question and answer. Sharing the award were Elizabeth Gardner, a sophomore communications major, and La- Travia Davis, a junior management information systems major. Davis also won most ads sold, evening gown, swimsuit and preliminary interview. She placed first runner-up and Rhodes, a junior communications major, won second runner-up. "I honestly didn't know if I would win or not because there were other wonderful ladies going for it. All I can say is that I tried my best," Hill said. Hill plans to start pushing her platform of physical and mental health right away. "I want to create fun, accessible ways to stay healthy and in shape, and teach students how to balance their social and school lives and overall prepare for our futures." Hill said the highlight of her evening was seeing her grandparents in the audience.

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