Taylor Baines, a junior at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, was crowned Miss Black and Gold 2014 during the pageant sponsored by the Jacksonville Graduate Chapter, Upsilon Lambda, of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.. The contest was held November 22 at First Coast High School. Ms. Baines won a $1,000 dollar scholarship and will represent the Upsilon Lambda Chapter at various events and pageants around the city and region. Additionally, she will serve as the official hostess for Chapter functions throughout the academic year.
Ms. Baines won the pageant over four other beautiful, talented and intelligent young women. First runner-up was Marisa Pelham, a junior from Douglas Anderson, and second runner-up was Kyla Waye, a junior from Robert E. Lee High School. Contestants competed in six areas of competition: grade point average, private judges’ interview, introduction and personality, on-stage knowledge and awareness, talent, and evening gown.
In addition to winning the title, Ms. Baines won the Most Talented Award. Ms. Baines showcased her dancing skills as she wowed the audience and judges with her ballet performance. “Ms. Baines embodies the tenants of what it means to be Miss Black and Gold, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. is excited to support her as she continues her success,” said Ben Parker, President, Upsilon Lambda Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. The Miss Black and Gold Pageant, under the sponsorship of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., is an outgrowth of the long tradition of Alpha chapters designating young women to serve as “chapter sweethearts.”
The fraternity recognizes the valuable support rendered to it by many friends of Alpha Phi Alpha, and this endeavor serves as one mechanism to applaud such support. Founded December 4, 1906 on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, Alpha Phi Alpha is the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African-Americans. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. will be awarding 5,000 dollars in scholarships to young men at their annual MLK oratorical contest. The event will take place on January 31st at Westside High School. For more information contact Charlie Gillette at cgillette@gillette@gillettelaw.com.
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