PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (Feb. 19, 2024) – The 20th Annual Mister HBCU Kings’ Leadership Competition took place last month in St. Louis, Missouri, and for the first time in Prairie View A&M University history, Mr. PVAMU won the crown.
Houston native Hunter Waldon first came to “The Hill” on a baseball scholarship with dreams of being drafted into Major League Baseball. But after two years of hitting home runs and catching line drives, his dream wasn’t in the cards. He had to choose between baseball and his endeavor of winning Mr. PVAMU and eventually Mister HBCU.
Ironically, the 41st Mr. PVAMU and 20th Mister HBCU Waldon hadn’t planned on competing in Mister HBCU. Still, through the encouragement of his Mr. PVAMU predecessors and mentors, he was reminded of his greatness.
“I called my advisor a couple of days after Christmas and said that I don’t think I’ll be able to go to the Mister HBCU Conference because I have a lot going on,” Hunter said. “I also told last year’s Mr. Prairie View, along with the previous year’s Mister HBCU and another Mister HBCU, what I was going through, and they all told me, ‘No, you still need to go.’”
His confidants continued to encourage him through his current role as Mr. PVAMU, but they also saw who he could be and how bonding with his brother Kings would benefit him more than he realized.
Waldon walked into the Mister HBCU competition expecting it to have a solely competitive nature in the air, but it was an embracing nature instead. During his time in St. Louis, Waldon engaged in round tables with Kings from other HBCUs, shared knowledge with local high school and elementary students, and attended seminars that addressed difficulties and celebrations of what it has meant to be a King and represent an HBCU.
“It was almost as if God was saying this is for you,” Waldon said. “When I got there, I felt at home in a sense.”
Day two of the competition kicked off preliminaries with 26 Kings showcasing their talents and oratory selection nationwide. Waldon’s talent was spoken word and an oratory response about what it means to be woke in today’s society.
On day four, the top ten Kings were announced, and they were judged on oratory, talent, formal wear and an impromptu question.
“I am elated that Hunter’s hard work paid off. It’s an honor and privilege to prepare young people for success,” Mr. PVAMU Advisor and Assistant Director for Student Engagement Charles Lewter IV said. “Preparation plus determination is the equation to success; It’s about the journey that leads to the destination of faithfulness.”
Ultimately, there were five places up for grabs: Mister Talent, Mister Oratory, 1st and 2nd Runner-Up, and Mister HBCU. Waldon made history as the first King from PVAMU to win this honor.
In his final year as an accounting major, Waldon has taken the time to reflect on his journey amidst adversity. Embodying the NABA motto of “lifting as you climb,” Waldon has done just that through service to his university and community.
“I’ve always been the type of person to look out for the person next to me,” Waldon said. “Sometimes, I even watch out for them more than myself.”
Aiming to be a humble servant of the community, Waldon previously served as Mr. Freshman and Sophomore. However, through this experience of earning the Mister HBCU crown, Hunter gained a group of brothers, and that was what meant most to him.
At this point in his college career, he also has advice for students specifically having a hard time.
“No one can believe in you if you don’t believe in you,” Waldon said. “You have to remain confident because a goal without a plan is simply a dream.”
By Alex Byrd
-PVAMU-