This year's Black and Gold Pageant took place on Dec. 3, with senior Christian Kerr and junior Saniyah Hunter winning the titles of Mr. and Miss Black and Gold. The students who participated in the pageant were scored on poise, posture, communication skills, business casual and formal wear, knowledge of school history, and ticket sales.
“I'm just overall appreciative and thankful for the opportunity I was given,” Hunter said after her win. “I'm so happy to be Ms. Gold. I was nervous, and I still get aftershocks.”
The Black and Gold Pageant has been around for a long time now. It began in 2013 as a way to promote school spirit while celebrating student leaders. Art teacher Tonya Mason began the program along with another staff member, Ms. Carmean, who ran the bookstore at the time and had extensive experience with pageants.
“Our goal was to find students who really wanted to show how they embody what it means to be a Warrior,” Principal Masimba Taylor explained to the audience at the event.
Three outside experienced judges scored the pageant itself, and several staff members assisted in pre-show interviews with the candidates.
Many students participated in the pageant, with four student performers also sharing their talents throughout the show. Senior Kayanna Taylor also co-hosted the event with English teacher Susan Kalberer.
The pageant began with the theme of business attire. Students dressed with the thought of dressing for an interview.
“One of the things this year that we did a little differently was really talk to [the students] about what your appearance says about you when you walk into a room,” Taylor said at the event.
Contestants were introduced with their achievements and a brief description of themselves.
“It gives a chance to show off a bit,” junior Jozzalyn Lopez said. “You get to pick and choose what they announce. So, it gives you a chance to express all the clubs and stuff that you do, and it gives other people a chance to find out more about clubs.”
While student performers took the stage, contestants were given 10 minutes to change into their second outfits, with the next and last theme being dress-up or formal attire. Each contestant came onstage and answered on-the-spot questions that were randomized.
Before the winners were announced, some contestants were also given certificates for the most tickets sold. Hunter tied for the girls, along with junior Vanessa Garcia. Senior Daivon Miller had the most ticket sales for the boys.
Many contestants were nervous going into the pageant, but they proved to and showed the audience that they did not let it stop them.
“The other guys and I were just like, ‘Hey, if we tell ourselves that we’re going to do good, then we might do good,’” Kerr said. “I think it's the fake confidence in hyping each other up that really helped us.”
In addition to building up their confidence, contestants believe that the pageant has benefited them in many other ways.
“The pageant has shown me how to do an actual interview and be more professional,” senior Jayce Wells said. “It taught me how to actually act and uphold yourself.”