On Friday, April 12th, 2024, the Norfolk State Epsilon Pi chapter (E Pi) of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated hosted the highly anticipated Miss Old Black and Gold pageant. The Miss Old Black and Gold pageant celebrates outstanding young women within each chapter’s community. Additionally, it highlights the complex balance between grace and achievement among young women. Originating from sponsorship by the National Alpha Phi Alpha Convention in New York City in 1976, the first queen, Ms. Denise Smith, made history.

This year’s Miss Old Black and Gold pageant shone with elegance and poise. Taking place in the Dorothy B. Brothers auditorium on campus, the event filled the air with anticipation. The doors opened at 5:06 pm, a subtle nod to the founding year of the Fraternity, 1906. Three distinguished judges presided over the event: Mr. Ricky Hopkins, Ms. Danielle Williams, and Mr. Justin Carr.

The contestants were judged across four key categories during the pageant: Casual Wear, Swimwear, Talent, and Evening Wear. Between these segments were engaging presentations and performances by various on-campus organizations. These included a Telfar purse raffle, a captivating runway performance from the Printed Revolution modeling company, and striking stroll showcases by some of Norfolk State’s Divine Nine organizations.

Before the crowning ceremony Jasmyne Harris, the former Miss Old Black and Gold, and Destiny Brickerson, the former Miss Epsilon Pi, made their final walks across the stage as they prepared to pass on their crowns to the new winners. Their heartfelt speeches moved the audience to tears.

Amongst fierce competition, Ms. Jenia Whitney showed off her true grace and determination as she won the coveted title of Miss Old Black and Gold 2024-2025. Hailing from Hamden, Connecticut, Ms. Whitney is a third-year Exercise Science major, specializing in Kinesiotherapy. Reflecting on her journey, she remarked, 

“This was honestly a growing experience. I learned a lot about myself and the standards that I have for myself. This was a goal of mine and I am proud of myself for accomplishing this goal.”

Securing the second-place title of Miss 1906 was Ms. Kamoni Ricks, a third-year Political Science major from Norfolk, Virginia. Ms. Ricks expressed much gratitude to all of her pageant sisters, pageant dad, royal court, and the brother of Epsilon Pi.

“I am feeling really ecstatic right now; I can’t believe that I got this title,” She exclaimed.

 Ms. Casey Watkins, a second-year Psychology major from Queens, New York, seized the third-place title of Miss Epsilon Pi. When asked what her new title means to her, Miss E Pi answered, 

“It means making a positive change on campus and inspiring others.”

As the semester ends, these three queens will fully take their reign in the fall for the upcoming semester, alongside the brothers of the E Pi chapter.

Photo Credit: Instagram: @epialphas