Spring Break
Winston wins Essence competition
Samantha Bilharz/Staff Reporter
Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: News
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"To me having the title 'Essence of a Man' means to be a role model and to pave the way for many to come," Winston said.
The 2009 competition "Essence of a Man" focused on the theme "The Man Below the Surface." Dorrian White, Darius Holland, Keeva Johnson and Ian Winston all competed for the winning title.
The contestants where judged on creative expression, talent, community service, formal wear and impromptu questioning.
The competition kicked off with all four contestants expressing the most important moments in their lives, which ranged from being accepted into college to the first time discovering music.
During the first category of creative expression, White performed a dramatic interpretation about commitment while rapping and playing the keyboard.
"Commitment has become a fundamental necessity in my life," White said.
White, a senior psychology major, said he gathered inspiration from a skit by Jamie Foxx.
Holland showed a real life video of violence in Chicago. He went on to talk about violence and how it affects everyone.
Holland, a freshman communication studies major from Chicago, was the only one out of five of his friends to see college.
"People are dieing of jealousy and being disrespected," Holland said.
Johnson, a senior philosophy major, performed a skit on terrorist attacks. Johnson went into a speech on how the world can prevent terrorist attacks with the remedy of love.
Ian Winston rapped a song on role models for his creative expression portion. Winston, a senior art major, encouraged people to idolize regular everyday heroes but to not idolize status. He said some of these people we idolize are no more then images.
The contestants also showcased their community service projects to the audience in the form of slideshows.
Following this was the talent category, where White performed his own spoken words about violence.
Holland showcased his rapping skills in a rap titled "To the Top."
Johnson performed his original song "I'm not supposed to be here," and Winston rapped an original song called "Ladies and Gentlemen."
In the final category, the four men showcased their style in formal wear and showed off their ability to answer impromptu questions on the spot.
More awards beyond the Essence title were given out at the end of the event. Mr. Enterprise was awarded to Johnson. Winston came out on top winning Mr. Talent, Mr. Creative Expression, Mr. Impromptu and the Viewers' Choice Awards, as well as the winning title "Essence of a Man."
Samantha Bilharz can be reached at 581-7942 or DENnewsdesk@gmail.com.
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