Black College Queens 2000 - African American college beauty pageant announcement

Ebony, April, 2000

BEAUTY comes in many forms. Some might herald the charm of physical appeal. Others may prefer the allure of intelligence and ambition. Still others might trumpet the inner splendor of sharing talents with others. This year's campus queens have a blend of all three. While excelling in academics, these young women volunteer their time as dance instructors, peer mentors, Red Cross members, gospel choir directors and hospital workers. They dream of helping their communities full-time after graduation.

Beginning in the middle of the alphabet, the 2000 list includes 90 queens from historically Black colleges and universities and a number of Black queens from predominantly White schools. Through their poise, dedication and vision for making the world greater, each young woman helps us better understand what it means to be beautiful.

Miss University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Adrianne D. Jones, and Miss Southern University and A&M College-Baton Rouge, Jelinda Faye Gibson, have the blend of class, commitment and community spirit that is typical of this year's Black college queen. Jones, a Kankakee, Ill., native, belongs to the National Association of Mathematics and enjoys modelling and reading. She plans to earn an MBA. Gibson, a senior electrical engineering major, teaches dance and gymnastics in her New Orleans hometown.

Miss New Jersey City University, Sherron Alisa Madison, is a senior education and sociology major.

Natalia Cales, a Charleston, S.C., native, is Miss Norfolk State University. She plans to earn an MBA.

Gabrielle J.R. Hurtt, Miss North Carolina A&T State University, is a music education major and aspiring vocalist.

Camesha Shonte McAllister is Miss North Carolina Central University. She plans to be an international lawyer.

Aukea Melitsa Joseph, a medical technology major, is Miss Oakwood College. She is a native of Antigua.

Miss Paine College is Tamekia Shantel Hawthorne, The early childhood education major enjoys dancing and bowling.

Tiffini D. Hall, a communications major, is Miss Paul Quinn College. She hopes to

Miss Philander Smith College is Tionna Latrice Hughes, a senior biology major. She belongs to the NAACP.

Shiressa M. Pittman, a computer science major, is Miss Prairie View A&M University. She is a Dean's List scholar.

Miss Savannah State University is Velva Sharmaine Jones. The accounting major hopes to one day become an IRS auditor.

Florence Wilson, a criminal justice major, is Miss Southern University at New Orleans. She is an aspiring judge.

Rhonda Renee Richardson, a Tuskegee, Ala., native, is Miss Stillman College. She is an English major and volunteer.

Cindricka La Jane Arrington, Miss Rust College, is a computer science major from Greenville, Miss. She enjoys exercising.

Phelethia Shontae Buckhanon, Miss Selma University, is an Eclectic, Ala., native and an aspiring basketball coach.

Samaria My-kel Randle, a cheerleader and student government member, is Miss Southern University at Shreveport.

Miss Talladega College, LaShajla Shante Lewis, is a history/pre-law major. She enjoys reading and writing poetry.

Charisse Shaunae Pinkett, a Springfield, Mass., native, is Miss Saint Augustine's College and a political science major.

Dorothy Veronica McDowell, an English education major, is Miss Shaw University. She enjoys traveling and tennis.

Avanelle Razzandelle Duncan, Miss Southwestern Christian College, is a pre-nursing/biology major from Mesquite, Texas.

Miss Tennessee State University is Michelle K. Robinson, a senior political science major. She hopes to earn a doctorate.

Miss Saint Paul's College, Monte Gayles, is a criminal justice major from Richmond, Va. She plans to attend law school.

Nakeshia N. Williams is Miss South Carolina State University. She is a senior English education major from Augusta, Ga.

Darienne Driver is Miss Spelman College. The Pittsburgh, Pa., native mentors children and enjoys modern dance.

Adele LaShawn Phillips, Miss Texas College, is a biology major from Plano, Texas. She plans a career in sports medicine.

Peace A. Igbokwe, a native of Nigeria, is Miss Texas Southern University. She will graduate with a doctorate in pharmacy.

Shawnetta M. Barnett, a senior environmental science major, is Miss University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

Miss Voorhees College is Tywana LaTosha Chenault, a criminal justice club member. She aspires to be a law professor.

Miss Winston-Salem State University, a nursing major, is Anjeleigh Lonnette Robinson. She enjoys writing.

Miss Tougoloo College is Danelle Renee McClellan, a Gulfport, Miss., native. She plans to practice corporate law.

Miss University of the Virgin islands, Lisa Leslie, is a senior biology major from St. Thomas. She enjoys modeling.

Fatmata Koroma, a native of Sierra Leone, West Africa, is Miss West Virginia State College. She is a biology major.

Nia E. Johnson, a biology major, is Miss Xavier University of Louisiana. She enjoys volunteer work, ballet and singing.

Natalie Diana Knight, a plant and soil science major, is Miss Tuskegee University. She is a member of the concert band.