Vol. 71, No
Elizabeth City, NC
May 6, 2006
Senior Edition
^zabeth City State University’s award-winning student newspaper
Ricks is Miss Black N. Carolina
Former Ms. ECSU Wins
Carleta Ricks
Photo Courtesy
Courtesy of
University
Marketing and
Relations
Congratulations
to Carleta Ricks, Miss
Elizabeth City State
University 2005-2006, who
was recently named Miss
Black North Carolina USA at
a statewide pageant held in
Raleigh, NC. She competed
against 11 contestants to win
the competition and a $1,500
scholarship from Noire
Productions, Inc.
“I entered the contest
because I wanted to broaden
my experiences by competing
in a pageant that could lead
to a state or national title.
Plus, I saw it as a way to help
me finance my education in
graduate school,” Ricks said.
“I would encourage other
of University Marketing and Relations young ladies to compete in
the scholarship pageants to help
them further their education.”
Ricks earned the highest
number of points from judges
during the preliminary round of
competition on March 24 and
became one of six finalists. She
returned to competition on March
26 for the pageant where she won
the interview segment of the
contest and earned the largest
overall score to win the crown for
Miss Black North Carolina USA.
She will appear in a UNC-TV
interview on May 7 to discuss her
victory. Ricks will compete on
October 14 in Washington DC in
the national competition for Miss
Black USA.
Contestants must have a
platform. Ricks’ platform was
“My VIBE—My Vision to Inspire
Blacks through Education.”
During her reign as Miss Black
North Carolina USA, she will
complete a speaking tour at middle
and high schools to share her
inspirational message. Ms. Ricks,
a senior political science major, a
former cheerleader, and an
accomplished singer, will be able
State Pageant
to enlighten students about making
choices that involve a college
education, student life, student
government, and future career
options. Having attended Oscar
Frommel Smith High School in
Chesapeake, VA, Ricks will be
able to relate her firsthand
experiences about the transition
from high school to college.
According to Noire
Productions, the sponsor of the
event. The Miss Black North
Carolina Scholarship Pageant USA
was developed to promote cultural,
social, and leadership status, on a
state and national level, within the
African American Community. It
provides a forum for today’s
African American woman to
express their viewpoints, talents
and accomplishments to audiences.
The Miss Black North
Carolina USA panel of judges
included professionals from a
variety of businesses and
industries. The pageant’s judging
system is designed to promote
diversity, individuality, and overall
achievement among all
contestants.
Startford Re-Elected for President
By Ashley Yelity
Staff Writer
After having a
productive 2005- 2006
Academic year, the students at
Elizabeth City State University
saw fit to re-elect James
Startford for the 2006 - 2007
academic year.
Startford won
receiving the majority of the
votes over his opponents
Salimah Cogbil and Joshua
Mallory.
During his 2005 -
2006 term in office, Startford
negotiated parking
arrangements with the
management in Herrington
Village. He also extended
Bedell Hall operation hours.
In rurming for
president, Stratford submitted a
new platform, “Continuing the
Advocacy, Building a Legacy:
Empowering the Student Body
to Emerge as Leaders through
Excellence and
Enlightenment.” In this
platform, Stratford said if he
were to be re-elected his
mission is to fiirther educate
and encourage the students
regarding the mechanisms
associated with the university.
He also said “I will continue to
serve as advocate, but further
embrace and adapt to changing
times with help from the
student body”
Now that he is elected,
Stratford plans to become
better versed in the
Parliamentary procedures and
the Student Government
constitution. He also plans to
appoint some new students to
the student court, to “sustain
[its] effectiveness.”Stratford
plans to continue to support
student oriented activities (The
See PRESIDENT page 4
James Stratford, SGA President
Photo Courtesy of
University Marketing and Relations