It was quite cold outside of the Grambling High School gymnasium where dozens of students and family members eagerly waited to witness the crowning of Miss Grambling High 2010. When the doors opened, they all rushed in and nearly fought for seats. After they had cleared, there was a group of young men in tuxedos standing in line anxious to get inside and escort their girlfriends, friends or relatives.
It was funny to see them dancing and singing outside as if they were an old Motown group. There were still people walking in, and when they got in they were surprised to see that it was standing room only, and it was hotter than a fish fry in there.
Nonetheless, the chill atmosphere of the happy crowd made it almost nonexistent — almost. The Paris-themed decorations were beautiful, especially the miniature Eiffel Tower in the middle of the gym. They also had a silver carpet for the students to walk on, black and gold balloons, and a string of golden lights. By the time everyone found a place to sit or stand, it was time to begin.
They started off by paying homage to the past 10 winners of Miss Grambling High School. Some of the past winners were even in the audience. A few minutes later they started naming a few younger queens, starting from fifth grade all the way to Miss Grambling Middle School.
The young ladies and their escorts looked like royalty walking down the carpet and bowing to the audience. After they announced all of the younger lab school winners, they began naming all of the organizations and club queens.
The young women looked lovely in their gowns. There were none that looked alike and each girl made it look like it was made for them.
Although there are a lot of organizations and clubs at Grambling High, each queen presented was beautiful, from Miss Basketball Sweetheart to Miss Dynamic Dumaine Dancer. All had an astounding reputation on campus for being involved in extracurricular activities and excelling in academics. After the organizations they announced Miss Freshman runner-up, Miss Freshman and Miss Grambling High runner-up were announced.
Finally, it was the moment everyone was waiting for … the crowd grew silent as they played royal music, and the winner of Miss Grambling High 2010, Victoria Shabríe Hill’s name was announced.
The audience was roaring with excitement as they carried her out on an all white throne. She looked dazzling in her all-white gown as she circled the gym waving to everyone. Before she arrived back at her throne she made a few curtsies to the crowd and her fellow queens of the night.
She was crowned by the school’s principal, Sandra Boston and her escort did a toast. One student did a wonderful job performing “Beautiful” by Christina Aguilera.
After the touching moment, the queen brought on some more tears when she gave a special thanks to Dr. Edrene Frazier, the mother of LaToya Frazier Jackson, Miss Grambling High of 1999-2000, who passed away.
The mother was so grateful, especially when the humble queen gave her one of her crowns to keep.
Special thanks was followed by the Grand March, Waltz by the queens and their escorts, and the singing of the alma mater.
A special thanks was given to the coordinator of the coronation, Thelma Williams.
When the coronation was over it was nearly impossible to rush through excited family members of the crowned winner of the night.
When asked how it felt to be crowned Miss Grambling High 2010 she responded, “It is a privilege, an honor,” said Hill.
“To live is to choose, but to choose well, you must know who you are, what you stand for, where you want to go, and how you plan to get there,” Hill said in regards to her philosophy of life.
Victoria Shabr’e Hill was born October 2003, 1992, at the Union Medical Center in Eldorado, Arkansas. She is the daughter of Gregory and Vickie Hill, and Vicky Ross Hill. Her paternal grandparents are the late Jack and Edithous Hill; and her maternal grandparents are Lovie Hall and Edward Ford, and Jessie and Francis Charles. Victoria was blessed with one brother, Grant Hill; a younger sister, Karlexcia Fudge, and four “sister-moms”, Reshonda Johnson, Shanell Hill, LaCheca Buggs, and Tiarhonda Rogers.
Victoria is currently a senior at Grambling State University Laboratory High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society and secretary of the 4-H club. During her matriculation at Grambling High, she has been a member of the Lady Kittens Basketball Team, the Kittens Cheerleading Squad, and she volunteers her time as a tutor in the summer school program at Alma J. Brown Elementary. Victoria has graced the royal court as Miss Freshman and last year she was the reigning Miss Football Sweetheart.
As a member of the Fellowship Baptist Church, she is an active member of the Young Adult Choir, the youth ministry, and the Sunday School. She is also a youth member of the Workers of Faith Missionary Society.
During her free time, Victoria enjoys reading, manipulating numbers, and talking with her peers and family.
After attending the High Ability Program at GSU, Victoria chose Grambling State University as her future home. She plans to major in accounting, and eventually become a successful accountant.