9th Annual Mr. & Miss African Student Association Pageant

9th Annual Mr. & Miss African Student Association Pageant

            

African Student Association is an organization that spreads the African culture, promotes unity, and focuses on community outreach on the Frostburg campus. All are welcome to join our organization by being a general body member or by applying and interviewing to be a member of the executive board. Being African is not a requirement to join the African Student Association.

Every fall semester the African Student Association hosts a Mr. and Miss African Student Association pageant. The Pageant has five scenes, which are the Leader, Treasure chest, talent, formal, and Q&A scene. Each scene gives the contestants a chance to showcase their personal strengths as well as why and what they would bring to the organization if they were to win the title. Former President and Mr. ASA Dami Olawoye, states “ The pageant is of great importance because it connects students together and enables individuals to hone their leadership skills and display the cultural backgrounds that are present at Frostburg State University”.

Each year the current Mr. and Miss ASA, which was Ivan Sando, and Blessing Shonekan host pageant and prepare the contestants running to obtain the crown. When asked, “ what has been the most rewarding aspect of planning pageant?” Ivan Sando responded, “ The most rewarding aspect was getting to see the contestants and myself grow. Planning it took me back to my pageant and it was an amazing feeling to be able to help people go through the challenges that I had gone through”. This year the contestants were given only a month and half to prepare for this elaborate show. When asked, “ what the biggest challenge while preparing for the pageant?” Blessing Shonekan says, “ Dealing with different personalities making sure people didn’t take things to personal. Due to the limited amount of time to prepare we really had to be strict with the contestants”.

This year’s pageant was November 18, 2017 from 6-9 pm held in the ARMAH. The shows tickets sold out the day before the show, which may have come as a surprise being that it was a week before thanksgiving break. Pageant ended up being a big success the event showcased a great deal of positive competition and unity. When the African Student Association advisor Dr. Boayue, Fannia was asked, “ What expectations do you hold for pageant every year? “ she said, “ All contestants, this year have exceeded my expectations. This is not by mistake or chance. I believe that through the well thought out processes instituted by the ASA for selecting pageant contestants have contributed to the quality of exceptional contestants”.

The winners of this year’s 9^th Annual African Association are Cheebehn Wesseh for Mr. ASA and Marilyn Gweh for Miss. ASA. All the contestants definitely put on a great show and impressed the four judges as well as the crowd. When the graduate program assistant of student activities and Greek life, Marcus S Freedman was asked, “ what do you expect to see from this years pageant winners?” he responded, “My expectation from the winners is simply to be consistent. Many good things were said in light of what they vision they can do for the organization. Talk is cheap, action is everything. "Faith without works is dead" James 2:14 NIV. I believe the role of Ms. and Mr. ASA should be connecting the campus while proudly sharing the African heritage. Go to other organizations events and meetings. Volunteer for school/campus initiatives. Collaborate with other orgs to host events that shed light on the uniqueness of the culture but also how we all still connect. Provide information on opportunities to advance the African community and its members (internships, initiatives, philanthropy, etc.) Make it a priority of not just exposing the campus to the culture but creating real efforts to help the countries that the members proudly represent. (For example the slavery situation in Libya). That's what I expect the winners to not only address but also bring into reality with the support of the rest of the ASA organization”.

            The executive board is confident that the winners of this year’s pageant will uphold the expectations of ASA. Even though the pageant is ran by the Mr. / Miss ASA the executive board made sure to help as needed by showing up to rehearsal every once in a while. The week of pageant there was practice every day from 7pm-10pm all of the executive board members were in attendance helping run through practice with the contestants. I believe that is what made pageant so success through the unity and drive to educate others.

            The African Student Association host forums every other week to get the opinions and educate the student on the Frostburg campus. ASA also host tables in lane during weeks that events are coming up to spread the word and to get people to sign up to be a general body member. After you sign up to become a general body member you will receive emails consisting of all upcoming events and or meetings. ASA will often host bake sales at their tables in lane to fundraise for their bigger events, general body members are welcomed to help with tables as well.

            Often times, there are misconceptions that you have to be African to join ASA but, as stated previously all are welcomed to join the African Student Association. All are welcomed to join ASA as a general body member or as an executive board member. The position on the African Student Association are President, vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Student advisor, Sga liaison, Public relation, Historian, Mr./Miss ASA, and Program director. Applications/interviews to be an executive board member for the 2018-2019 term will be available late spring semester. Every year the new board is announced at the ASA showcase. Make sure you take tuned because ASA has a lot in store!