It was a night to remember in the Grambling’s Recreational Center on April 8. The ladies of Tau Beta Sigma band sorority held its first Mr. Tau Beta Sigma Pageant. While at the pageant, students sat and mingled over chocolate covered strawberries and punch. As the contestants performed, the brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha band and music fraternities played soft melodies. Marvelous poems and songs were recited and sang by Lyrical Quest.
Students admired the scenery of blue and white balloons with blue carpet lit with white lights. Four contestants competed for the crown on Tuesday evening, but contestant number one, Preston Burnley left with the crown. The next day after the pageant, students found out their was actually a tie in the votes between contestant number three Shaun Phillips and Burnley.
Burnley is a junior from Dallas. Burnley is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternirty.
“I am surprised and relieved that I won. But most of all, I will make this my responsibility,” said Burnley.
Phillips is a junior from Detroit. When interviewed about his opinions of the tie dilemma, he remained positive and humble.
“I felt horrible at the pageant because I did not place, but although my placing would not be the same as if I were being crowned in the pageant, I am thankful that the truth came out,” he said.
Phillips’s plans are to implement band pride as Mr. Tau Beta Sigma. He also states that it would be easier because he and Preston can work together at it.
Contestant number two Terry Emmanuel Hawthorne, a 22 year old from Shreveport is the first runner up. He is a member of the Kappa Kappa Psi band fraternity. Hawthorne states, ” I feel good about placing in this pageant because all of my hard work paid off in the end”. His plans are to strive for the highest, and to help his sisters in next year’s pageant.
Contestant number four Deon Raeshun Johnson, is the second runner up. As an 18 year old freshman from Memphis, Tennessee, Johnson believes that a smart man begins each day knowing how he wants the day to end. He says that he is excited, lost for words, and appalled that a freshman placed over a frat. His plans are to be a greater influence to his peers and classmates.
Lisandra Brown from Runawaybay, Jamaica says the pageant was well put together and she really enjoyed herself. She is a sophomore matriculating in the fields of accounting and management. Another student that goes by the name, Harper Hargrove states that the pageant was very entertaining, it showed different aspects of the men, and it was something different to go and see.
As the plans of these young men come into play, the students at Grambling State University awaits to see what will take place on campus.