Issue date: 2/21/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Carrie Hollis Tiffaney Ross, a sophomore communication disorders major, Stephanie Johnson, a junior journalism major, and Lakya Hill, a junior psychology major, practice their opening dance routine in the University Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union Wednesday evening. The Miss Black EIU competition will be this Saturday.

During the past seven weeks, four Eastern women have been working hard and showing their dedication in preparation for one night.

Since Jan. 10, from 6 to 10 p.m., five days a week, the contestants of the 2005 Miss Black EIU pageant have been running through the entire show. They have usually practiced twice a night in order to prepare for the real show, this Saturday.

Coordinating the pageant is last year's winner, Tracey Wayne.

"This year we tried to get more participants, but many people do not have the commitment and dedication of going through the entire process," Wayne said about the low number of participants.

Though Wayne is running the show, she is not nervous, at least not for herself.

"I am nervous for the girls because they are the ones on stage in front of everyone," she said.

Wayne said some extra responsibilities of being Miss Black EIU are running as a Black Student Union representative, coordinating the next pageant, and representing the campus and community in a positive manner.

She also attends every practice the contestants have.

"We still tend to have fun and get work done at the same time, which makes it less stressful," Wayne said.

This year's contestants are Tiffaney Ross, a sophomore communication disorders major; Lakya Hill, a junior psychology major; Jennifer Ether, a sophomore journalism major; and Stephanie Johnson, junior journalism major.

Ross is involved with the pageant because, according to her, she can "have a greater role and impact in the black community."

In addition to the pageant, Ross is involved in the BSU and also in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Like the others, Ross is also modest about who has an advantage in any of the events.

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