Hampton, VA - RaSheeda Waddell, senior music performance major from Greensboro, N.C., was named Miss Hampton University for the 2006-2007 academic year. Waddell was the winner of 12 contestants in the annual Miss Hampton University Scholarship Pageant. The winner of the Miss Hampton University pageant wins a chance to compete in the Miss Virginia pageant.
As Miss Hampton University, Waddell will be formally presented to HU students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests during half time at the homecoming football game against Winston-Salem State University on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m. She will also be a participant in the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University homecoming parade on Oct. 21. As Miss HU, Waddell will be responsible for carrying out her chosen platform through various campus and community activities with the help of her court.
Waddell's platform is titled "Depression in 3D: Detect, Deal, and Destruct."
"I am a survivor of depression and I also know someone who didn't survive," said Waddell. "I want people to be aware of the symptoms, how to treat them, and to get on with life, she said.
The pageant consisted of four portions: lifestyle and fitness, talent, presence and poise, and question and answer. Waddell performed an awe-inspiring opera selection during the talent portion of the pageant entitled, "O mio babbino caro" from Giacomo Puccin's "Gianni Schicchi." After graduation, Waddell plans to "go to the conservatory level in graduate music" and become an "international opera singer."
Dr. Gladys White, a resident of Greensboro, N.C., and a member of the HU Class of 1939, is Waddell's long-time mentor and supporter. White is responsible for recruiting Waddell to attend HU. "As I witnessed and heard the announcement that RaSheeda Waddell was Miss Hampton University...my heart filled with jubilation, pride and gratefulness," said White. "RaSheeda came to Hampton already primed to let her life do the singing at Hampton."
Waddell has previously served as Miss Black Teen Triad in the Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and Highpoint, N.C., area and as Miss Randolph County, N.C. Waddell was the first black titleholder in the 50-year history of the Miss Randolph County pageant. As Miss Randolph County, Waddell participated in the Miss North Carolina pageant in 2005.
"I plan to be a very visible Miss Hampton," she said. "I welcome any ideas for seminars and any volunteers. I can't be successful without the help of the HU community," said Waddell.
# HU #
For more information contact Erica Taylor Harrod @ (757) 727-5255 or email erica.harrod@hamptonu.edu.
Return To 2006 - 2007 Press Releases
Posted By: Joah King
Tuesday, October 24th 2006 at 9:00AM
You can also
click
here to view all posts by this author...
