Miss Prairie View A&M University: A legacy that spans nine decades

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Oct. 26, 2022) – The Miss Prairie View A&M University Scholarship Pageant is much more than a beauty or popularity contest. Just look at the legacy of queens since 1932: they embody Grace. Poise. Class. Intellect. Leadership.

And this year, on the cusp of the 90th anniversary of Miss PVAMU, they represent history and a vibrant, beautiful culture where their beloved alma mater “Produces Productive People.”

This week marks nearly a century of queens – and not to forget the men, with almost half a century of kings, Mr. Prairie View. Together, they have helped lead the University’s efforts in community service and ambassadorship.

As the approaching annual Royal Coronation reminds participants of all PVAMU stands for – family, community, excellence, tradition and so much more – current queen Taverlyn Mercedes Shepard’s platform, “The Steel Magnolia: Continuation of Your Unfinished Story,” rings true, too. Homecoming is not just a time for looking back at the past and reflecting on growth and the support that brought students and alumni along their journey. It’s also a time to reflect on what’s to come – the story isn’t finished.

Although Shepard was crowned queen earlier this year, the Royal Coronation is an official homecoming festivity to seal the deal as she continues her leadership. Her royal court includes A’Nya Hargrave, Miss Senior; Faith Ojuolape, Miss Junior; Chloe-Nyree Tolbert, Miss Sophomore; and Temitope Soyombo, Miss Freshman. Mr. Prairie View, Caleb Michael Leeper, will also be part of the Royal Coronation Ceremony “Beyond the Crown,” alongside Shepard. The event will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26, in the Opal Johnson Smith Auditorium.

As queen, Shepard hopes to “inspire students to continue their journey of academic success, community engagement and overall health, while revitalizing the purpose of what is to be a Prairie View A&M Woman.”

The Foundation of Miss PVAMU 2022-2023

Hailing from Shelby, Mississippi, Shepard stays active as a senior biology major, double minoring in business administration and chemistry. During her time at PVAMU, Shepard has proudly served in several organizations, such as membership chair of The Purple Jackets, PALS staff for Panther Advisory Leaders, and director of Health & Safety for the Student Government Association. She is a volunteer at Hilltop Reserve and Protect the Village.

Shepard has been honored on the Dean’s List for multiple years and is a scholar of the Undergraduate Medical Academy. After graduation, she plans to attend osteopathic medical school to become an endocrinologist, with her long-term dream of operating a clinic.

“My purpose is to be a stewardess to my community,” she said. “At the same time, I am standing firm on the concept of delayed gratification and understanding that our story does not end at failure but begins with our testimony.”

Shepard is part of a strong legacy of women who have been a part of this leadership position at PVAMU. As the 90th queen, she has the support, memories and encouragement of all the past queens behind her.

The Foundation of Miss PVAMU

Advisor Lorie Proctor, a former queen herself, says her experience as Miss PVAMU in 2003 opened doors to advocate for students, including their needs and wants. It’s her encouragement to these young women to show them how to do that, too, especially as they grow in leadership skills.

“I learned so much in just putting myself out there and trying something different!” Proctor said. “The Miss Prairie View A&M University pageant was my first pageant experience. In reflecting on that, it is a skill set that many young people need. You have to assert yourself for a job interview, and you have to prepare and then put your best foot forward. As Miss PVAMU, and now as a higher education professional, my experience has given me the opportunity to give back to PVAMU and its students what was given to me: access, opportunity, growth, a sense of self, a well-rounded collegiate experience.”

Although the pageant began as a tradition where a queen was named from a student vote, it has now grown into a program where young women showcase their pride for their university and compete with a focus on being elected as a true ambassador for PVAMU – joining in many events and organizations on campus and even being a connection point between university administrators like the president and the student body. This is not just a crown – this is a voice.

Proctor said her experience was surreal, as she grew up seeing the HBCU “Queens” edition of Ebony magazine, which published photos of each Miss PVAMU, as well as queens from other historically black colleges and universities. Reflecting on PVAMU’s culture and spirit of mentorship and support, Proctor said this feature brought awareness and value to both the University and HBCUs.

“HBCU queens have a long-standing history in the Black community. This was exposure to little Black girls: they could go to college and be a queen! It was a great recruitment tool,” Proctor said.

What these young women contributed to our institutions spans time, Proctor said. They are women in leadership, participating on university committees, serving as advocates, ambassadors, fundraisers, and the list goes on. They have all contributed to their respective institutions.

These are women who have since gone on to assume leadership roles in various industries. Shepard’s platform is about just that: the strength, resilience and grace of HBCU queens who have made cultural progress in the pageant world and excitedly and courageously offer the perspective that there is so much more to their story, leaving space for future chapters of future queens.

“When you think of HBCUs, you have to think about the long history of HBCU queens,” Proctor said. “They are the ideal of Black beauty: and that beauty comes in all shades, shapes, sizes and nationalities.”

By Meredith Mohr

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