Cheerleading | 4/9/2015 9:51:00 AM
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA- The Lincoln University crowned Imani Milliones-Roman (Pittsburgh, PA/Obama Academy) as its new Miss Lincoln for the 2015-2016 academic school year on Monday, April 9 at the University's International Cultural Center.
The event, hosted by reigning Mister and Miss Lincoln Brian Fenderson and Brianna McPherson, also crowned its remaining Court of Royalty, including the new Mister and Miss Orange and Blue, Marquale Royster and Shanice Pereira, and the new Mister and Miss Legacy, Aaron Bennett and Alicia Boone.
"The opening dance was my favorite," said Milliones-Roman. "I was excited to be able to do what I [love to] do—perform. I am a cheerleader [and] it was fun for me…it made me feel right at home."
That opening dance routine, which was to Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation," showcased contestants personalities as friends and family cheered them on from the audience.
One of the highlights of the competition was the talent portion of the pageant. Pereira performed a monologue titled, "My Reflection," in which she told her story of battling low self-esteem and body consciousness.
"I wrote [the] piece because I couldn't see myself getting on stage and performing a piece written by someone else. God placed it on my heart to write something that was of substance, that would help some girl going through the same insecurity battles I have gone through," Pereira said.
Royster also performed a poem he wrote titled, "Black Man You Are a King."
"…It was something I thought the black community [and others] needed to hear — that we won't take being statistics and that the black man has the will power to the break those stereotypes society has put on him," Royster said.
Ross-Hendrix and Milliones-Roman both performed piano pieces for their talents. Ross-Hendrix performed a classical piece while Milliones-Roman performed a blend of popular songs "If I Ain't Got You" by Alicia Keys and Sam Smith's Grammy award-winning song "Stay With Me."
Other portions of the show also included a speech, evening wear and question-and-answer portion.
The night ended with a farewell to the 2014-2015 Court of Royalty and Excellence.
"I have given the university my best this year, and I hope I have served the campus well; I pray I have left a legacy," Fenderson, a graduating senior, said. "I want [the current Court of Royalty] to remember to never try to fit the title, but make the title fit you."
The newly-crowned Mister & Miss Lincoln University have already begun planning ways to implement their platforms for their term for the next academic school year.
"I am excited about serving Lincoln…I want to uplift, transform and unite this campus," Milliones-Roman. "I want everybody to feel like they're Mister and Miss Lincoln because without everybody else, I would be nothing."
Said Ross-Hendrix: "I am ready for us to put into motion the various things that we have to offer the university, and I think one of the bigger things I look forward to is probably being able to show the school that there is still a sense of community and unity and respect among those that once competed against one another. Family is so important to all of us! I'm thrilled to work with each and every one of the Court."
