The Tau Eta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., held their fourth annual Mr. Pink and Green Scholarship Pageant in Pollak Theatre on Friday, March 23. Every year, this chapter holds this event to bestow two academic scholarships to men who represent their organization’s values and purpose “to be of service to all mankind.” The four contestants who participated this year were Bruce Davis, Andie Mali, Werlhens Francois, and Jasun Ramirez.
Performances were conducted by the Tau Eta Chapter as well as the rechartered Phi Upsilon Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. The visiting Iota Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. also put on a performance. While there was attendance from many on-campus Greek organizations, there were also Greek present from Rider University and New Jersey City University.
Brielle Mayes, President of the Tau Eta Chapter, stated, “Our event falls under our educational enrichment target. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., is a nonprofit organization and each year, the Tau Eta chapter chooses an organization in partnership with our illustrious sorority to donate to. In past pageants, we have donated proceeds to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). We hold this event annually to give back to our academic community, and to bring awareness to the organizations we donate to.”
Last year’s winners, Keith Lee and Amado Pacheco, hosted the event. The judges for this year’s competition included: Daniel Jefferson, who won the pageant in 2016; Rene McClain, former graduate advisor to the Tau Eta Chapter; Darlene Curtis, a sister of the organization who helped charter it in 2011; and Tyese Medford, a former member of the chapter who has been a sister since 2013.
Crystalyn Espinal, Assistant Director of Student Activities and Advisor to the Multicultural and Professional Greek Council, attended the event. “This is my second year having attended Mr. Pink and Green and, for a second year, I was impressed with the event. The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., have worked very hard since the fall semester to plan and execute this event this spring. Although it may be a lot of work, it is apparent that they and their contestants have fun doing so! Most importantly, the ladies donate their proceeds from the event for a wonderful cause,” said Espinal.
The initial planning for the event began at the close of the fall semester when the applications were made open to the Monmouth University Community. At the start of the Spring Semester, the contestants were selected, and the meetings and practices began. The 13 members of the chapter formed different committees to cover all fronts to plan decorations, performances, inventory, costumes and more.
Patrice Baston, a junior graphic design student, became a member of the chapter in December 2017. She attended the event last year, prior to her status as a sister. Now that she is officially a sister of the organization, she sees all the intensity behind the planning.
“Now being a part of this illustrious organization, my eyes have been opened to how much work goes into putting together an event such as this. We’ve spent many nights practicing even with the snow days that we’ve had,” said Baston. The chapter experienced two school closings during the week of the pageant but still met up in turbulent weather to practice for the event.
Davis, a sophomore homeland security student, took the second-place title of Mr. 1908 and a scholarship for $150, while Mali, a sophomore, won the first-place title of Mr. Pink and Green 2018 and a scholarship of $300. The proceeds of the pageant will be donated to Africare, an organization dedicated to the development of sustainable communities in African countries. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
The event had even more significance to the chapter as they get ready to celebrate their 7th anniversary on March 27. The chapter plans to continue the annual pageant every year. Applications for next year’s pageant will be released during the fall 2018 semester.
PHOTO COURTESY of Alyssa Wilson
