Friday, Feb. 27, 1998

Vick’s victory

New Mr. Black Penn State crowned

By KHYBER OSER
Collegian Staff Writer

The night began with the first note of the "Black National Anthem" and ended with the crowning of a new Mr. Black Penn State.

"I'm just lucky I guess," Markus Vick said after he had been crowned 1998 Mr. Black Penn State and the crowd around him had dispersed.

More than 250 spectators in Kern Auditorium shared Vick's victory with him at the 17th Annual Mr. Black Penn State Pageant last night.

Vick (sophomore-advertising) was one of three contestants vying for the crown. The other two contestants were seniors, and Vick said he thought the crowd may have rooted for him because of his youth.

"He's young, enthusiastic and strong willed," said judge Michelle Colón, director of multicultural affairs for the Undergraduate Student Government. "A perfect example of what Mr. Black Penn State should be."

Second runner-up Noel Matthews had only positive words for Vick.

"I'm glad he won," said Matthews (senior-African and African-American studies). "He's outgoing, easy to talk to and he has spunk."

" I’m glad he won. He’s outgoing, easy to talk to and he has spunk. "

- Noel Matthews, Second runner-up of Mr. Black Penn State pageant

Wooing the crowd with a warm smile, Vick gained momentum throughout the evening. He had the audience laughing for much of his time in the spotlight, but Vick took a different path with the talent portion of the competition. He delivered a dramatic monologue about a drug dealer sitting in front of a line of cocaine and evaluating his life.

The act ended with Vick considering suicide and then breaking down in tears. The crowd was visibly moved by the anti-drug message and the realistic portrayal.

In addition to the talent portion, the pageant also included an entrance down the aisles, a sports-uniform segment, a formal-wear competition and a question-answer session.

Sponsored by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., 13 Shulze, the pageant's theme was "Ebony Sunrise." Shawna Riley, chairwoman of the pageant, said the title signified the black community rising up out of the darkness to erase negative images of black men in American society and reclaim cultural traditions.

The pageant celebrated African-American culture and heritage. Former Mr. Black Penn State Jason Yates (junior-musical theatre) played a few selections on the piano and the NOMMO Performing Arts Company danced in colorful costumes to rhythmic pounding drums.

"I enjoyed the dancing, the music, the theater and the beautiful black men," said audience member Monica Williams (graduate-clinical psychology).

Miss Black Penn State Lurie Daniel (junior-African and African-American studies) said she could relate to the difficulty of being on stage in front of so many people, and she said the contestants handled themselves well.

"It's really important to see a positive display of black men," she said, "because there are so many stereotypes out there on campus. We need to see the strong black man who will support his community and take care of his responsibilities."

Three main responsibilities for Mr. Black Penn State were outlined at the pageant: riding on Black Caucus' Homecoming Float next year, a service project with the sorority and five hours of service on his own. Vick said his highest priority is to be an example and a role model for black men at the University.

"It's hard to represent all black men on campus, but I think I'm up to the challenge," he said.

The pageant's first runner-up was Horace Haughton (senior-telecommunications).