“And just going off of that, just taking up as much space as you need to and just happily taking up as much space as you deserve, really.” “To me, being culture truly just means being true to who you are and to where you come from, acting with pride in that no matter who you are around, no matter where you may find yourself,” Jones said in response to the question. For the last question of her interview, the hosts asked Jones what the word “culture” meant to her. During the interview portion, Thomas and Lewis-Johnson presented a mix of fun culture-related questions and more serious questions intended to provide insight into the contestant’s personality and beliefs. However, the event was ultimately driven by the contestants themselves.įirst up was psychology major Jai Jones ’23 from Roanoke, Virginia. Newby, the Muscarelle Museum of Art’s Director of Engagement and Distinguished Artist-In-Residence Steve Prince, assistant professor of History and director of the Lemon Project: A Journey of Reconciliation Jody Lynn Allen and the Dean of Students’ Graduate Assistant Monique Williams. The judges included the acting Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Academic Support Arielle S. In the end, the winner was chosen by four judges. The pageant was divided into three sections: interview, talent and dress. They also explained how the pageant is structured and guided the audience through each event. ![]() The hosts of the Cultural Pageant, Janeé Thomas ’25 and Kyle Lewis-Johnson ’25, worked to establish this safe space throughout the night by showcasing culture, performing comedy and interacting with the audience. That was our goal, and we hope the College promotes more events to do the same.” “Everyone deserves to see someone who looks like them on stage, regardless of their background. “Overall, representation matters,” Scott said. We embrace individuality in all forms regardless of whether that identity meets the ‘sophistication’ requirement.”īecause of these unrealistic beauty standards placed on minority individuals, Scott advocated for the creation of more safe spaces on campus. “Minority individuals, especially Black men and women, must reach extra heights to look ‘sophisticated.’ Whether it is straightening your curls, wearing makeup, or changing your dialect, sophistication can be out of reach. ![]() “We are also not focusing on sophistication because that term usually coincides with Eurocentric beauty,” Scott said. Scott also discussed how the pageant sought to challenge beauty standards and promote inclusivity. We wanted to put inclusivity as the focus in all aspects.” This is also why the event is free to all viewers. Beauty pageants hold an extreme amount of limitations for contestants, especially income-wise. “This is why we are taking away limitations when it comes to talent, stripping the gender correlation with beauty, and allowing the dress portion to be any outfit. “We want to highlight the individual, similarly to beauty pageants, but we want it to be more inclusive,” Scott said. Shauna Scott ’23, the primary organizer of the event, further outlined the vision for and purpose of the cultural pageant. Two students took home the shimmering crowns as the winners of the event at the end of the night. Featuring an interactive audience experience, the night was full of music, dancing and laughter. 13, The College of William and Mary’s Student Assembly hosted the College’s first cultural pageant, putting a spin on the traditional beauty pageant by showcasing students of color and their various talents.
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