Newspapers / Elizabeth City State University … / Oct. 10, 1997, edition 1 / Page 6
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6 The Compass Friday, October 10, 1997 Coronation 97: Wright takes the throne on a night of pageantry, magic, masks by Chenay Beamon "I want to be a Christian example and friend to those who are reaching and searching for happiness in an un happy world." Miss ECSU, Delicia Antionette Wright, used these words to announce the primary goal of her reign on Coro nation night held Oct. 3 in Williams HaU. Wright, who wore a white fitted gown with a long train, said her sec ond goal was to "demonstrate excel lence" in representing her university. Wright expressed "thanks, glory, honor, and grace to my Lord and Sav ior Jesus Christ for blessing me with this opportunity to represent the Uni versity. "I thank God everyday for the blessings that I have" continued Wright. "I pray everyday he will lead me, guide me, and strengthen me. Without him I am nothing. With his guidance I'U do the best I can." As Wright spoke, the decorations in the gum captured the theme of her coronation, "A Royal Masquerade." Gold streamers circled the top of the gym, and purple, gold, and green bal loons hovered above. Fuchsia and gold pabn trees lined the stage behind her. Tragic-comic theater masks were out lined in gold against a black back ground. The men of the Royal Court wore either black or gold masks throughout the entire masquerade ball; the women carried colored masks in their hands. After the Royal Court honored the queen. Mistress of Ceremonies Hope Jones introduced Wright's mother, Vicki Arm Liddell, who lives in Arkan sas. "Amother's love creates, nurtures and molds a child's life," said Jones. The mother of the queen, said that her daughter "kept Jesus her center and focus." After Wright's mother spoke, eight of Wright's nine siblings showered her Eugene O'Neal photo Delicia Wright, Miss ECSU for 1997-87, sits on her throne with her scepter and masks on Coronation Night. She was crowned queen Oct. 3 in Williams Hall. with flowers, gifts, hugs and kisses. Wright gave her mother flowers and expressed her happiness at having her celebrate the occasion with her. The new queen said the coronation marked the first time since high school that her mother had seen her on stage. Wright also thanked Chancellor Mickey Bumim for supporting her and the Chancellor's wife. La Vera Biimim, for being the "epitome of women" and serving as a role model for Wright. She also thanked Billy Hines, Director of the University Choir, for being a "fa ther figure" and helping her "grow not only musically, but also socially, aca demically, spiritually, and emotionally." Wright expressed her gratitude to several friends "who were there for me when everyone else turned their back on me." Her true friends were always there as "spiritual leaders" to lift her up and to pray with and for her, she added. During the Chancellor's charge to the new queen, Bumim said Miss ECSU "represents the entire University com- mxmity— students, faculty, and staff. "Miss ECSU should be poised and tal ented, articulate and energetic." Bumim continued. "She should be in telligent and graceful and compassion ate." Bumim encouraged Wright to "ad here yourself to your fellow students." He concluded by congratulating Wright and charging her to reign as a queen "with dignity and pride and to uphold the Viking tradition." After Chancellor Bumim's charge to Miss ECSU three students, RayUsha Mercer, Wanda Morris, and Tamika Whitehead, performed a dramatic pre sentation of Paul Lawrence Dunbar's poem "We Wear the Mask." A ten-member dance troop per formed a hip-hop rendition of Dr Dre's "Been There, Done That." The student dancers elegantly dipped, twirled, and circled the floor. The University Concert Choir and the Essence of Praise Gospel Choir also performed tributes to the new queen. Wright's friends, Todd Peterson and David Scott Gibson, sang "I Can be Only Me" as a special tribute. Gibson was the master of ceremo nies. Shavmell McMillan and Samuel Norman assisted the Mistress and Mas ter of Ceremonies by announcing the Royal Court. Also In attendance were former Miss ECSU '94-'95, Lynette Jordan and Vanessa Vincent, second attendant '96- '97. Latonya Wilson and Fredricka Simons were first and second atten dants to the queen, respectively. Mr. ECSU, Kelsey Lodge, a senior Criminal Justice major from Rocky Moimt, NC, gave a personal tribute to the queen. He encouraged her to keep striving for success because "God will keep everlasting love around you." The queen's processional included Tanisha Williams, the lady in waiting; Larry Wilson, sash bearer; Charles But ler, cloak bearer; Michelle Lewis, scep ter bearer; Donald McClain, mask bearer; and Brian Snow, crown bearer Wright, a senior Music Education major from Charlotte, NC, is member of the University Marching Band, Gos pel Choir, Choral Ensemble, NAACP, the New Generation Campus Minis tries, the Student Leadership Academy, Alpha Chi National Honor Society, and the University Concert Choir. Poetry Keep Me Near Engage in the world and what it has to give. Live life for a meaning, not just to live. Keep goals set high and try to reach them all. If you ever need help, give a brother a call. Because I'll be there no matter what you do. And for eternity I will always love you. No matter the problem, whatever it may be You can always count on and confide in me. As I will you, "My tme confidant." Because, after God, you are what I want. I want you to help me when in need. Like a blind man, help me to read. Like a deaf man, help me to hear. And like any human, hold me in your heart and keep me near. Ronel Brewer
Elizabeth City State University Student Newspaper
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Oct. 10, 1997, edition 1
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