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On Sunday, Nov. 15, the Kappa Kappa chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. held their annual ‘Man of the Year Scholarship Pageant.’ The Kappa Kappa chapter has held this pageant on campus since 1982.
The pageant was held in the SAC Salons. The sorority transformed the salons from their ordinary set-up, to an elegant area of seating and a small stage. The lighting, music, and overall ambiance of the room gave the pageant a formal atmosphere.
The show started off with an entrance of the participants and a quick dance performance to get the audiences’ attention. The female audience members appeared very attentive as the men strolled down the aisle in their coordinated suits, and passed out a few roses to select ladies en route to the stage.
This year’s contestants were Tavaris Leak, Ahmed Toure, Kevin Metcalf, Derrick Eure, Terell Torre, Garrison McCormick and Todd Harris.
According to junior Charnise Caple, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Mistress of Ceremonies, “The purpose of the pageant is to promote, encourage, and showcase men on UNC Charlotte’s campus,” said Caple, “These men should have certain qualities, like the will to succeed and selflessness, in order to do this.”
After each contestant introduced themselves to the audience and judges, there was a short interpretive dance performance by Lisa Ramirez while the men prepared for their next section of the pageant.
The following section was casual wear. In this category each contestant described the casual attire they were wearing. Some described their outfits as “a man’s all purpose outfit.”
“Sporting” a track and field outfit, contestant number seven, Todd Harris, said that “you never know who you’ll meet, so why not look good on a daily basis,” following the advice of his parents.
After the casual wear category, the crowd grew with anticipation as the talent section commenced. The audience roared with laughter and excitement as contestant number three, Kevin Metcalf, lip-sang and danced to ‘Push It’ by Corbin Bleu. Metcalf outrageously paraded around the room and into the audience who erupted in applause as his performance came to a close.Contestant number four, Derrick Eure took his talent a little more seriously. Eure told the story of how Charlotte is his home town and how he couldn’t bear to leave to go to a college anywhere else. Eure played the keyboard and sung ‘Hometown Glory’ by Adele. Some of the other performances included recitation of a poem to the performance of an original rap. A contestant even shared a letter written to a first love.
As the men changed and prepared for the declaration of the pageant’s winners, Dominique Jordan, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., presented the audience with the winners of the raffle for a chance to win the prize of a new pair of Jordan sneakers. There were three winners awarded that showed their excitement as their names were called.
“The pageant is amazing so far, the talents have been really incredible,” said senior Adam Shinn, former ‘Man of the Year Pageant’ contestant, “I’ve met with these men and they are all great guys that are very smart and funny. I think the competition this year was very high.”
To further entertain and the audience while the scores were tallied, Kodie Surratt of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. sang ‘Sweet Lady’. Just before the contestants reentered the stage, last year’s winning contestant, Lee Evans, took the stage for his last time with his title and read a poem for the audience.
“These men practiced two times a week and kept going over their routines, dances, posture, and overall confidence,” said senior Brittany Solomon, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the ‘Man of the Year’ Pageant Chair. “My organization is based on scholarship (academics) and we held the men to the same standards. We’re looking for well rounded men that represent this campus.”
Todd Harris won second runner up and the title of Mr. 1908, Kevin Metcalf won first runner up and title of Mr. Kappa Kappa, and Derrick Eure won the title of Man of the Year.
“I really enjoyed the pageant, I feel like the men truly presented themselves like gentlemen and that made it a good show,” said first year graduate student Deunte’ Champion.
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