Post Classifieds
'Mahogany' Contestants Seek to Break Stereotypes, Entertain Community
By Tyeisha Prior
On April 3, 2013
The African American Students Organization is upholding their tradition of hosting
the "Mr. and Mrs. Mahogany Pageant" at 7:00 p.m. April 11 in the Social Hall.
The pageant has remained a tradition to AASO since the founding of the
organization in 1967.
Jamika Merced, campus and community chair, said that the Mahogany pageant is a
part of the organization's legacy.
"This is something that has been [established] way before we even came about. It's
a part of our history and its part of our legacy. Something that we continue on," she
said.
Each spring, the AASO holds the pageant and gives members of the organization the
chance to showcase and express their flair, elegance, and talent through different
sections of the pageant.
Contestants will be judged by three judges on five categories: the introduction,
swimsuit, culture, talent, and formal wear.
Judges include a Resident Director and two students with strong ties to AASO and
the Buffalo State community. [names?]
Merced said that AASO encourages members to actively participate in the pageant.
"We encourage members to run in the pageant, so if someone else from outside
wanted to come in, we go through a long process before we pick the actual
candidates. So, someone who has been a member will be more picked as a candidate
for the show," she said.
Through the pageant, many of the contestants are taking the opportunity to learn
and grow from their experiences.
Contestant and AASO member Shanay Prince said that the pageant is considered an
outlet for her and others to freely express themselves.
"It's something to try out and for people to open up more. I'm just trying to have fun
instead of thinking of it as a competition and being myself and having fun," she said.
Contestant Taliek "T.J." Singletary said that he wants to prove to others that his
interpretation of Mr. Mahogany is distinctive from the rest.
"I want to prove that Mr. Mahogany doesn't have to be the stereotypical male in
American society. No matter what your sexuality is, your ethnicity, you still have the
qualifications," Singletary said.
Prince also added that it's not all about winning for her.
"Even if I lose, I'm winning because I conquered my fears of not doing pageants
before," Prince said.
Members of the organizations also said that the pageant is a good opportunity to get
involved on campus.
"I never did anything on campus [like this] except for a couple fashion shows, and
I think it would be pretty fun and a fun event," Tha Ink Club's E-Board secretary,
Anthony "Tony" Brown, said.
Singletary added that it's a way for students to support their friends and peers.
"[It's a] great way to become active on campus, so that you have a better college
experience," he said.
Merced's main goal is to entertain students through the pageant.
"I want them to be entertained. That's our job, we're here to put on a show and
entertain the Buffalo State community, and come out and support their peers. [I
want them] to get a piece of AASO's culture, but also the contestant's culture as
well," Merced said.
Tyeisha Prior can be reached by email at prior.record@live.com
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
Recent The Record News Articles
We've Moved to www.buffstaterecord.com!
Please visit www.buffstaterecord.com for all your latest campus news and updates from our staff of student journalists.
Obama divulges new higher education initiative during visit to UB
President Barack Obama delivered his new plan for making a college education more affordable to a packed auditorium at the University at...
Ailing Podolefsky steps down as president
Aaron Podolefsky has announced he will step down as president of SUNY Buffalo State, effective July 31, to concentrate on his...
Discuss This Article
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THE RECORD NEWS
- We've Moved to www.buffstaterecord.com!
- Obama divulges new higher education initiative during visit to UB
- Ailing Podolefsky steps down as president
- SUNY appoints Cohen interim president
- President Podolefsky announces leave to fight cancer
- Rappers put Pepsi in a bind
- Congrats to grads: take next step with gratitude
RECENT THE RECORD CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- A Story To Sing About
- The Gap in Gum Care: Why Caring For Your Teeth’s F...
- Top Tips for Signature Scents and Better-Smelling Laundry
- A Dog Trainer’s Top Tips to Support Pets Through Life S...
- Clear the Air of Indoor Pollutants This Spring
- Stroke & Dementia in Black Men: Tips for Staying Healthy...
- Hispanics and African Americans at Higher Risk for Eye...
- African Americans at Higher Risk for Eye Disease
- Infinity Kings: Final Book In A Favorite Fantasy Series
- What You Need To Know About Keratoconus and the iLink...
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- Don’t Let Diabetes Shortchange Your Golden Years
- No Child is Forgotten By Marine Toys for Tots
- Sweeten Your Springtime Salads With Healthy Chilean Grapes
- Young Author Translates 4,000-Year-Old Text to Reveal...
- Keeping Cool and Energy-efficient Amid America’s “...
- Addressing Sarcopenia with a Healthy Diet
- Subway’s New Wraps Elevate Eating on the Go
- Family Teacher Conference Topics Beyond Academics
- Youth Take Down Tobacco
- BookTrib’s Bites: Four Reads to Kickoff Spring
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show
- Semiconductor Research Corp unveils 2024 Research Call, $13.8M Funding
- Charles River Associates Opens Second Scholarship Cycle, Expands to the UK
- BLUMHOUSE AND AMC THEATRES LAUNCH FIRST-EVER HALFWAY TO HALLOWEEN FILM FESTIVAL
- THE GEN Z IMPERATIVE: LISTEN TO FEELINGS AND GIVE GEN Z A VOICE
