The Gazette

Issue date: 3/3/10 Section: News

Media Credit: photo by brandon clemoens (L-R) Courtney Clark, Brittany Thompson, Morgan Taylor, Brianna Taylor, Sharnelia Johnson(winner), Heather Hubbard, Alexandria Brown, Eleanor Zachary pose with the new Miss Black University.

Sharnelia Johnson was crowned the new Miss Black Langston University Feb. 27. The theme for the pageant, which took place in the C.F. Gayles Gymnasium, was "My Black is Beautiful."

Johnson, a senior elementary education major from Rowlett, Texas and a member of the Lady Lions Basketball Team, competed against seven other ladies: Alexandria Brown, a sophomore business management major from Spencer, Okla.; Brianna Taylor, a sophomore English major from Cleveland, Ohio; Eleanor Zachery, a sophomore business administration major from Oklahoma City; Brittany Thompson, a junior English major from Oxnard, Calif.; Morgan Taylor, a junior music education major from Arlington, Texas; Courtney Clark a junior broadcast journalism major from Hattiesburg, Miss., and Heather Hubbard, a junior elementary education major from Carrollton, Texas.

Johnson competed in five stages of competition: interview, onstage question, physical fitness, talent, and evening wear. She said when her name was called she was both happy and overwhelmed.

"I worked very hard to make sure that I gave my all and did my best. All of the ladies did awesome and could have won the title. I am grateful and appreciative to have won," Johnson said.

Johnson said she will spend her year of service implementing her platform "Academics Building Character" by working with elementary, middle, and high school children on character building and the wealth of knowledge. Also, Johnson will be preparing to compete this summer in the Clara Luper Miss Black Oklahoma Scholarship Pageant and the Miss Black Oklahoma USA pageant with hopes of moving on to compete in Miss Black USA Scholarship Pageant.

"I am very excited and anxious to start my year of service and give back to the community and university that has given so much to me," Johnson said.

Deshnick Lewis, director of the Miss Black Langston University Scholarship Pageant, expects great things from Johnson.

"Johnson personifies the qualities a role model should have for young women on this campus," Lewis said. "She's talented, ambitious and accomplished. I am glad that Johnson stepped out of the box, off the court, and onto the stage. We are excited about working with her this year."

In addition to receiving the crown, Johnson won an $800 scholarship named after Clara Luper and the talent award. Brown took homethe awards for Miss Congeniality and ad sales. The first runner up award went to Zachery and the second runner up award went to Brianna Taylor.

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