A New King Crowned at Mr. Lambda Sigma Scholarship Pageant

Chapter members with alumni, winner Chad Knight and Miss University.

The ladies of the Luxurious Lambda Sigma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., has crowned their new king. This past Tuesday on April 5, they held their annual Mr. Lambda Sigma Scholarship Pageant at Nutt Auditorium. The pageant was held during the chapter’s annual Delta Week which was themed after the popular 90s show “A Different World” with a spin called “A Delta World.”

Gerald Mcleod Mr. Lambda Sigma for 2015 crowning Chad Knight 2016 Mr. Lambda Sigma

Each year young collegiate male students vie for the title of Mr. Lambda Sigma as they showcase their gifts and talents throughout the pageant. This year, six guys participated which included Marc Barnes an accountancy major and member of the Ole Miss Track and Field team, Terrence Johnson a broadcast journalism major and Ole Miss Orientation Leader, Kenric Wright a mathematic education major and member of the Pride of the South Marching Band, Chad Knight a business management major and Vice President of the Nu Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,Inc, Benjamin Parker a double major in Biology and Psychology and active member of the Family Literacy Program, and Jonathan Howard a second-year graduate student in the School of Education studying Higher Education/Student Personnel and he is an active member of the University of Mississippi Black Graduate Professional Association.

Contestants along with performers in prayer for the pageant begins.

The group of men that participated in the pageant will also participate in a community service project with the Lambda Sigma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. One of the most lucrative incentives for guys to participate would the $500 scholarship stipend that the winner receives. As with most pageants participants were required to sell ads with the earnings going towards a scholarship for the winner and a monetary donation to Mended Hearts.

Hosts Cynthia Harris and Joe Curry.

“The Mr. Lambda Sigma Pageant is one that is near and dear to our chapter. While promoting the excellence of the men here at Ole Miss, we focus on the importance of mentorship by having the winner be a role model to a young boy with heart disease from the Mended Hearts Foundation. It’s an amazing experience for us every year, and I know it will grow and impact lives for years to come,” said Cynthia Harris, President of the Lambda Sigma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The pageant featured an opening dance number, beach wear, talent, and formal wear with questions about current events. Singer Chase Moore a student at the University and Musician Kylan Johnson a student at Oxford High both performed. While talents ranged from singing, dancing and juggling, one talent that stood out was a spoken word piece performed by winner Chad Knight.

Little Mr. Lambda Sigma Carsyn Brown with winner Chad Knight.

Knight said, “I didn’t have a talent, so I was like, ‘Oh let me learn somebody else’s piece of work.’ Well I having trouble finding something I like and I had a week to learn it. So I wrote something that was personal for me. The inspiration for me was the fact that people have their perceptions of you because of what they see or think they know. When in reality that is not the case. In life what you expect of most people turns out to be the opposite. So yeah, I appear nice, but if I have to go there I can. I also knew that since it was my writing and my story it would be easy for me to remember. Besides if I messed up the crowd wouldn’t know, unless of course it started not to make sense.”

Gerald Mcleod Mr. Lambda Sigma for 2015 with Chad Knight 2016 Mr. Lambda Sigma

Last year Ole Miss Senior Gerald Mcleod won the 2014-2015 title of Mr. Lambda Sigma. One the roles he had to serve was being a mentor to Little Mr. Lambda Sigma Carsyn Brown. Now Knight will take on that role but Mcleod will still cherish his time with Carsyn. Carsyn only two years old but full of spirit has had to have various heart surgeries since his birth.

Mcleod said, “That little guy has so much confidence and strength that it is crazy. I have never seen someone who has been through so much and still smiles all the time. Meeting him has strengthen my spiritual relationship, because I only know that by faith he is so strong. It is crazy how God works in your life, he used someone so small and harmless to show me just how powerful his works are.”

Chapter members wait for the pageant to begin.

Brittanee Wallace, Vice President of the Lambda Sigma Chapter served as one of the coordinators of the pageant. Members of the chapter served as big sisters to participants to help them with the process.

Wallace said, “Doing a pageant for guys is extremely rewarding. You get to see them break out of their comfort zone and dork close bonds with each other as well as the big sisters! The pageant committee is small (Brittanee Wallace, Rekeya Williams, Jevonta Foster and Kelsey Agnew) but we are mighty and we put together every aspect of the show and I must say that each year it’s even more rewarding than the last.”

Contestants as they perform the opening number.

Winner Chad Knight says he would definitely encourage others to do the pageant and this was truly a learning experience for him.

Knight said, “Yes, just because it is something different. It also makes you give girls who do pageants a little more respect for what they do. Being on stage is a lot more nerve-wrecking than one might think.In winning I have had so many congratulatory messages and greetings from family, friends and regular people. It is always good to be reminded that people are watching you, and not only but they are in your corner looking for you to do well. I’m kind of on a high of appreciation right now. I’m so grateful for all the support.”

First Place- Chad Knight
First Runner Up- Benjamin Parker
Prince of Perseverance- Benjamin Parker
Prince Charming- Jonathan Howard
Mr. Photogenic- Marc Barnes

To stay updated with the chapter, follow @lambdasigmadeltas on Instagram, @UM_Deltas on Twitter and Like them on Facebook at Lambda Sigma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Chase Moore performs for guests at the pageant.

Danielle Watson supports friend Jonathan Howard who participated in pagaent.

Brittanee Wallace as she crowns Jonathan Howard Prince Charming which was decided upon by his fellow contestants.

Musical Act: Kylan Johnson

Cynthia Harris with winner Chad Knight