Miss A&T wins National Black College Alumni HOF pageant

Miss A&T, Tanisha Shavonne Fordham, claimed the title, "Miss National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame 2008-2009" on Saturday evening, September 27, 2008. The event was held in the Hyatt Regency hotel ballroom in Atlanta, G.A. "I wasn't surprised that Tanisha won," said Jaleeza Kent, junior industrial engineering major. "She did really good, but the competition was between her and Miss Clark Atlanta. I really did expect her to win, not to sound cocky, but just to exemplify how much confidence I have in her."

Aside from Fordham, there were 27 other queens to compete representing 27 historically black colleges and universities. The queens represented schools ranging from Alabama A&M University to Winston Salem State University. The Competition of the Black College Queens' title was "HBCUs: Bringing Dreams to Reality."

With the Honorable Glenda Hatchett as Mistress of Ceremonies, the competition began as all of the queens collaboratively performed a dance rendition entitled: "A Tribute to the Harlem Renaissance, Celebrating the Essence of Black Beauty." The queens who made the top ten were announced as semi-finalists. With Tanisha's name being called first, it was evident to witness all the support and love she had being that over half of the audience were Aggies. All you could hear was, "Can I get a Aggie Pride!"

"A&T showed out, she had more support than all the queens in the entire competition. She even received standing ovations from other schools as she performed and presented herself," said Carla Saunders, sophomore agricultural education major.

"A lot of the girls were 'pageant' girls, but Tanisha had the true essence of a queen. Her smile just enlightened you."

Following the selection, the judges were introduced and the remaining ten queens presented their oratory pieces.

As Miss A&T began, "I am not ego-trippin…" she ended with a sincere thank you as she received a standing ovation from her supporters and other members of the audience.

After another entertainment piece, the top ten was narrowed down to the top five. Excited and hopeful Aggies showed Aggie Pride as they screamed when Tanisha was announced first as a semi-finalist in the competition. Queens representing Alabama State University, Clark Atlanta, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, and University of The District of Columbia were also selected. Following the announcement, the queens presented and performed their talent. Talents ranged from singing with a guitar to African dancing. The poise and projection portion followed a brief entertainment. The queens were to present themselves in an evening gown of their choice, and exemplify poise, appearance, and grace.

The presentation/image portion followed the poise and projection portion.

The queens chose questions at random and answered them on the spot. The resigning queen, Miss Orna-Charece Jones of Tennessee State University gave her farewell walk, and acknowledgements of the event were presented.

As the crowd anxiously awaited the crownig of Miss NBCA Hall of Fame 2008-2009, Judge Hatchett inspired the drum roll that raised the anticipation level even more. Aisha Cole of Clark Atlanta was crowned second runner-up.

First runner-up, Mwansa Changwe from University of The District of Columbia was then announced. And the title, Miss NBCA Hall of Fame 2008-2009 was announced, Miss North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

Nothing but excitement filled the ballroom as Aggies and other supporters cheered, screamed, and cried as Tanisha was crowned.