DE Campus Life Editor 12

In an attempt to get out of her dorm room, showcase her talent and show her Homecoming spirit, Ebony Berry is competing in the 26th annual Miss Eboness pageant at 8 p.m. Saturday in Shryock Auditorium.

Berry, a freshman in psychology from Peoria, said she found out about the pageant, filled out an application, auditioned and the rest is history.

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It’s a lot of fun, but it is also a lot of hard work, she said. We practice our acts every day from 6 to 10 p.m. But practice makes perfect, and it just gets better and better every time we practice.

While the traditional Homecoming activities are geared toward a variety of students, the Miss Eboness pageant gives African-American students a chance to show pride in their heritage during Homecoming. The pageant is sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Armecia McGrew, a senior in psychology from Dolton and a contestant in this year’s pageant, said her love for performing and reflecting a positive image are reasons she is participating.

I believe it is important because it gives black women a chance to show their talent and let it be known that they can do positive things, she said. I’ve been to the previous three pageants, and it made me want to be a part of it. I just looked at them and said, I could do that.’ And I wanted to do it before I graduated.

McGrew said although Miss Eboness is geared toward African-Americans, it is important for students to support all Homecoming activities.

I believe we can all go to the football game, she said. Miss Eboness just gives us a chance to celebrate our blackness during Homecoming weekend.

Nikki Wilson, a junior in psychology from Maywood, will grace the stage with a dramatic interpretation and dance in the pageant.

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I’ve been every year since I got here, she said. I liked what I saw and wanted to do it.

Cynthia Smith, a freshman in elementary education from Hillside, is excited and proud to be in the pageant.

I wanted to get my face out there in a positive light, she said. I wanted to be associated with being in Miss Eboness.

Laketta Caldwell, a junior in speech communications from Paducah, Ky., said the pageant gives women a chance to perform and be elegant at the same time.

Not only does it give me a chance to perform, she said, but it gives me the opportunity to work with intelligent, black females that I probably would not have met had I not been in the pageant.

FACTOID:Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Tickets can be purchased by calling Shroock Auditorium at 453-3379.