As the judges determined who would be the next Miss Black Penn State, the six pageant contestants waited out a lengthy deliberation in front of an anxious crowd.

Finally, Rythda Destime (junior-hotel, restaurant, and institutional management) strolled across the stage in her elegant off-white dress draped with a purple and gold sash which titled her as Miss Black Penn State 2007.

"I'm so proud of all of us because I know they put their all into it," Destime said, a tear glided down her cheek. "They are wonderful black women."

She said she is going to give herself about a week to recover from all of the pageant preparation and schoolwork.

"Let it sink in for a little bit," she said about her new title. "And then I will continue to do my work on this campus."

The annual Omega Psi Phi fraternity-hosted scholarship pageant celebrated its 20th anniversary this year with the theme "The Eternal Woman."

Daniel Hall, a pageant coordinator and Omega Psi Phi member, said the pageant is held to recognize the beauty as well as the talent and knowledge of black women. He said the winner receives a book voucher and two hundred dollars.

"We strive to push them to do community service," Hall said.

The contestants showcased their poise during business attire, African garb, talent competition, formal wear and impromptu question portions of the competition.

Serena Lewis (sophomore-political science) was one of many students who filled the State Theatre for the event.

"All the contestants are from different backgrounds so they can all come together to put together awareness of the black community," Lewis said.

Lewis said she thought all the contestants did a wonderful job and it would be hard picking a winner.

" [Destime] deserved to win because she seemed very confident and to my knowledge there were no slip-ups," Lewis said.

Jeanelle Javois (sophomore-biology) said although the pageant is called Miss Black Penn State, it is for everyone.

"It exposes people to our culture and how we communicate with one another," Javois said.

Yvonne Owusu-Sarpong (senior-biobehavioral health) said the pageant was very interesting and was her favorite Miss Black Penn State pageant.

"The part about the question and answer section, [Destime] really got it, and her talent part was beautiful," Owusu-Sarpong said.