While mainstream beauty pageants have progressed toward emphasizing service and wit, the Ball State University Unity Pageant is meant to recognize young multicultural leaders on campus.
Deontae Vaughn, president of Black Student Association and co-chair for the pageant, said most of the 14 contestants are underclassmen.
'The theme this year is 'Wish Upon a Star,' and it emphasizes bringing upcoming stars on campus into the light,' he said. 'I've already asked some of them about taking on leadership positions with multicultural organizations next year.'
The pageant will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday at Pruis Hall. It will be conducted in the same fashion as a typical pageant, except for the emphasis on male participation and the scholarship opportunities for winners ranging from $300 to $1,200.
Moses Jones was the first person to receive the Mr. Unity title in 2006 and he co-chaired the pageant in 2008.
'It's always exciting to be the first person to have any title,' he said. 'Now as I see it progress, I can forever say I was the first Mr. Unity.'
When it was first introduced, the scholarship amount for Mr. Unity was much lower than the award for Miss Unity. Jones said he prides himself in bringing the scholarship money to an even amount during his term in 2008.
This year, $1,200 will be awarded to the first place winners, $500 will be awarded to the second place winners and $300 will be awarded to the third place winners, Moses said. These amounts were raised from advertisement sales.
Vaughn made an effort to promote more cultural diversity at the pageant by inviting each multicultural organization to send a representative to the pageant.
Senior Jenika Garetson, Spectrum president, said she was impressed with Vaughn's efforts to reach out to all the multicultural organizations.
'It's a good way to wrap up [Unity Week],' she said. 'And it's a way to keep things going, to ensure it isn't a week but a year of unity.'
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