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August 2006 EOP Newsletter
- From The Director
- EOP XMAS Celebration: "Honest is the best policy."
- Financial Aid News
- Welcoming a Familiar Face to the Family
- Student Spotlight
- Celebrating Black History Month
- Miss Black and Gold Pageant
- Farewell and Good Luck: Interview with Anita Garcia
Miss Black and Gold Pageant
On December 15, 2006, The Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity had their annual Miss Black and Gold Pageant to celebrate women of color. EOP students Brittany Rumph, Monica Miranda, and Alesha Garvey participated in the event. They each did a wonderful job as they displayed their creative abilities, oratory skills, and social awareness to the audience and judges.
During the pageant, a number of African-American men were honored and given a special award by the brothers of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity for their many contributions to SUNY Brockport’s campus and its minority students. EOP Director, Gary Owens, was one of the men who were honored during the event. “It was quite a surprise, but a very pleasant surprise. I did not expect it, but it makes one feel glad about the things they do.” In sharing his views about the event he stated, “So far I find the event quite nice, when we have an opportunity to get together and recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of a group of men like these and the opportunity for people to just recognize that and enjoy a day here at Brockport.” It was hard for him to predict who the pageant winner might be. “Well, I have to leave that one alone. I’m going to hold back because I have a great deal of investment in all of them.”
Many of the EOP students came out to show their support for the contestant and the idea behind the event. Freshman, Amanda Clarke, enjoyed herself throughout the night. “It’s fun because of the different things they have. The food was really good. I liked the Edison Tech Step Team and everything.” She, too, thought the competition was really tough. “The girls are doing great, I wonder who’ll win?” In regards to EOP Director Gary Owens’ award, she said, “I was really happy for him and for EOP as a whole.” Freshman, Vanessa Babbs shared that, “I really enjoyed the talent portion of the pageant and that African-Americans, people of color have this opportunity to get together.”
EOP freshman, Harrison Vanmeter, was inspired during the event and was able to grasp the bigger picture behind that night’s festivities. “Yes, I am enjoying tonight. I see all of the Alpha Phi Alpha members and I am very interested in the fraternity.” He also shared his respect for the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and his favorite part of the night. “It’s very interesting to me that Martin Luther King, Jr. was an Alpha Phi Alpha and that is what I want to be. I really enjoyed the chants of the Alpha Phi Alphas and I think I’m going to pledge.
EOP Graduate Counselor Mark Guthrie and the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity played a major role in coordinating the Miss Black and Gold Pageant. “I think the Black and Gold pageant went well. Sometimes things happen and we do not have a lot of brothers, there’s just a few of us here but hopefully all of that will change for next year,” Mark said. Mark especially appreciated the support and contributions made by the EOP family. “A lot of people came out, especially the EOP family came out and I am very proud of that tonight. Staff came out, my coworkers showed a lot of love and I really appreciate it.” Mark also left me with a final note on what the Miss Black and Gold Pageant symbolizes. “The message we were trying to promote tonight is our Black Women or Women of Color. This pageant is for women of color. We want to showcase their talent and support them. We want to have something to represent us as one so basically that’s the message, to represent our own.”
In closing, congratulations to the 2006 Miss Black and Gold Pageant winner, EOP junior, Brittany Rumph!!!
