PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (November 20, 2020) – The 2020-2021 Mister and Miss Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) scholarship pageant wasn’t the same this year as in previous years due to the historic pandemic. Still, with the works of technology, PVAMU was able to host a virtual pageant, the first in PVAMU history.
“Honestly, it was different. Having a pageant virtually is a challenge because you have to go outside your norms. For each component of the pageant, I challenged myself to take it up a notch and get out of my comfort zone,” said senior biology major Joshua Lewis, who was crowned the new 2020-2021 Mister PVAMU.
Jada Marie Johnson, a senior agriculture major (concentrating in animal science), was crowned the new 2020-2021 Miss PVAMU. She agreed with Lewis – the pageant was an incomparable experience.
“Though recording was difficult and had a lot of obstacles, it was a lot of fun,” she said. “To be able to find locations and personalize your pageant was unique, and my mother was a huge help! She recorded the majority of my videos with the help of my Classic Dance Ensemble director, Ms. Sherry Harper, and Ms. Trevia Cyrus [an instructor in PVAMU’s College of Education]. They played a major role in helping my visions come to life.”
COVID-19 has made a tremendous impact across the world. Despite the foreseen challenges, Lewis and Johnson are making an impact on the student body.
“During these unpredictable times, I plan to continue having a strong faith that God has a greater plan for me during this reign,” said Lewis. “Furthermore, I’m making the best out of my reign by finding new ways to reach the student body.”
Johnson said, “It appears my reign as Miss PVAMU will be drastically constricted, but I plan to make the best of my time by using the additional resources provided to me. It is important for me to stay involved in events and keep the student body positive throughout this pandemic. It is still possible to enjoy my reign and college experience by creating new ways of interacting and coping in a socially distanced environment.”
Miss PVAMU was established in 1932, and Mister PVAMU was established in 1983, about 50 years later. Both roles involve public speaking as student body spokespersons, being student role models, and new student recruiters. In short, Mister and Miss PVAMU are two of the most celebrated student leadership roles at the university.
Johnson says she ran for Miss PVAMU because she owes it to her beloved university.
“Attending Prairie View A&M University was one of the best decisions of my life. It helped me in learning about my culture and myself. My college experience is one I will always cherish, and by being Miss PVAMU, I want to encourage others to get involved, experience, and enjoy all that our university has to offer,” she said.
Lewis decided to run for Mister PVAMU because of the previous influences from former Mister PVAMUs.
“I wanted to run for Mr. PVAMU after being Mr. Freshman and Mr. Sophomore,” he said. “Seeing the pose and stature that [former Mr. PVAMUs] Kendall Chalk and Wesley Okafor showed made me see myself in that role.”
Mister and Miss PVAMU both have platforms and initiatives that are being implemented. Lewis’ platform is called ‘Can Always Elevate.’
“Each student on campus has something unique about themselves, but how can we elevate to our truest potential?” he said. “Some initiatives I want to do with my platform is showcasing the talents of the PVAMU student body.”
Johnson’s platform is called ‘From the Ashes, We Will Rise: Beauty and Strength.’
“In a world full of negativity, heartache, and struggles, we will find beauty and strength. My platform pushes to change the reaction to failure, to learn and grow.” Johnson continues, “It targets self-worth and self-motivation through trials and tribulations. Beauty is not meant to be taken literally but to find the beauty in overcoming. My platform is perfect for what the students of Prairie View are going through right now and is the epitome of perseverance. I will initiate my platform by leading and inspiring others to be examples of beauty and strength. I will host programs that bring the student body together and encourage them to use their challenges as fuel to reach and achieve goals.”
Both Lewis and Johnson are thrilled to embark on this journey as this school year’s Mister and Miss PVAMU.
“I am most excited about the impact I can make within the male community on campus,” said Lewis. “The excitement has faded into me being ready to work and implicate impactful programs that will make a difference in at least one person who attends.”
Johnson said, “I am most excited about the experience, and I look forward to the relationships I will build along the journey. The network of people and endless opportunities will be a blessing. I am also excited to spread my platform and give opportunities to students to genuinely enjoy their college experience.”
This year, there were ten contestants for Mister and Miss PVAMU. Each winner received a $3,000 scholarship, free student housing, and a clothing allowance that includes an official crown and sash.
By Kimberly McKnight
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