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When we think of pageantry in America, we think of the beautiful and talented women in sequin gowns, swimsuits and talent. Well, the producers of the Mr. Collegiate African American Scholarship Pageant (MCAASP) has been dispelling this imagery since 1990 when the pageant was created to empower Black college men and to counteract the negative imagery of the them as perpetuated in the society. Contrary to popular acceptance, the principles of character, self-esteem, positive role modeling and services are limited less and the MCAASP officials hope to grow the next generation of African American leaders.
Candidates are being sought for the 2007 Mr. Collegiate African American Scholarship Pageant, set for April 4-7 in Houston and Prairie View, Texas, with the finals on April 7 at 7:00 p.m. The pageant is in its fourteenth year and is opened to Black men the ages of 18-28 who are enrolled in four-year American colleges and universities. The pageant is being held in conjunction with the National Leadership Summit on the Black Male.
The goal of the Program is to dispel the myth that one has to be a product of a negative environment by creating a model of excellence for a positive belief in oneself and race, and encouraging individual and group achievement in the pursuit of excellence.
Candidates compete for more than $10,000 in scholarships and prizes, and the opportunity to represent the national program. Competition includes a private interview with Judges, personal platform (oratory), talent, formal attire and on stage interview and question.
Deadline for application is February 28, 2007. For application,
write to: The Mr. Collegiate African American Scholarship Program:
P. O. Box 841595, Houston, TX 77284-1595; 713-927-6947, email:
mrcollegiate@iwon.com.
The purpose (mission) of the Mr. Collegiate African American Scholarship
Pageant Program (MCAASP) is to be a source of excellence for Black
men in character education, value clarification, economic and
social empowerment, role-modeling, mentoring, commitment to service
to mankind and to provide opportunities that present him in a
positive way. The MCAASP was created in 1990 as the first pageant
of its kind and staged at Prairie View A&M University in April
1992.
The competition takes place in Houston, Texas on April 4-8, with
the Final Competition on April 7, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at Prairie
View A&M University. Deadline is February 28. Write mrcollegiate@iwon.com
or call 713-927-6947.
Students should participate in the pageant because it provides them the opportunity to develop the spirit of competition. Additionally, the pageant provides programs for personal and professional development, self esteem and confidence building, enhancement of leadership skills and developing a sense of responsibility to helping the race. The pageant differs from others because it is the first of its kind on the national level for Black college men and is regarded as the best practices prototype for other programs of this nature. The pageant is open to Black men enrolled in any 4-year college or university in America, and is not restricted to title holders.
Eligible candidates must be: (1) Black males between the ages
of 18 and 28 years, (2) currently enrolled as an undergraduate
student in good standing at his University with a C+ average;
and (3) enrolled at the university as a student, at least for
the Fall Semester.
The candidates compete in the following categories and the percentage weight of each area: 1. Personal/Private Interview (20%); 2. Platform Expression (Oratory) (25%); 3. Talent (35%); 4. Evening Wear (10%) and 5. On-stage Interview Question (10%). Based on the number of candidates, preliminary competitions will be staged, with the top twelve to fifteen candidates competing in the finals.
The panel of judges consists of 5-7 professionals from the entertainment, academic, business, government and general community. Past judges include have included a City Mayor/Council Member, Executive Producers of America's pageant systems, Recording Artists, Professors and Business Owners.
The fee for the competition is $495.00. Adding traveling costs (depending on distance), competition wardrobe and other ancillary costs, the candidates could spend another $500-600.
No! The candidates not required to sell adds but are encouraged to have at least one ad page in the pageant booklet. We encourage the students to seek support from his university to include student government and other organizations, fraternities, sororities and or other civic or business groups in his locale.
Mr. Collegiate ($3,500 in prizes including a $2,000 Scholarship and a $500.00 Wardrobe allowance). He also receives travel costs to and from the pageant's home in Houston, special appearances on behalf of the pageant, registration and travel to selected conferences, travel gear, CD player and Appointment Portfolio. The First Attendant ($1,500, including a $1,200 scholarship) and the Second Attendant ($1,100 including a $750 scholarship). Scholarships are underwritten by donations and pageant sales.
Each candidate receives subscriptions to Black Magazines and other selected publications, Pageant materials to include T-shirts, Key Chains, Brief Case/Office Bags, Gift certificates to various business outlets, and any other amenities secured by the pageant. Special prizes are awarded to the preliminary winners in Talent, Platform and Interview competitions. A $200 Cash Prize is given to the candidate with the best essay, which is judged by an independent panel of critics.
Past winners of the pageant include the first Mr. Collegiate, Charles Clemens(1992-Lincoln University-PA); Steven Daniels (1993-94 Alabama State); Stacey O. Washington (1994-95 Virginia State), Christopher Sanders (1995-96 Kentucky State); Adoris Turner (1997-99-Jackson State) and Damany Mayfield (2001-02- Virginia State). Most publicly notable among the winners is Steven Daniel, a television actor and recording artist in Los Angeles.
Mr. Collegiate's role is to serve as an ambassador for the Program through representation at various selected events, utilize the pageant to promote his personal platform to bring about changes in the community, to serve as role model for young people, particularly young Black men and to encourage them to graduate from high school and college.
You may email request to mrcollegiate@iwon.com, write:
Mr. Collegiate African American, P. O. Box 841595, Houston, TX
77284-1595 or call 713-927-6947
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