Students Jamar Thrasher and Igbeze Ilochi were chosen as Black Action Society’s 2006 Mr. and… Students Jamar Thrasher and Igbeze Ilochi were chosen as Black Action Society’s 2006 Mr. and Miss University of Pittsburgh at a pageant Thursday.

The ceremony opened with the black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” followed by student Adeola Adeyemi’s interpretation of the poem, “A New Dawn.”

The poem’s invitation to “Illuminate a dark past/ create a legacy that lasts,” set the tone for an evening wrought with community pride and cultural history.

Last year’s pageant winners Kamar Guthrie and Tanya Green addressed the audience and host Sheba Gibbons introduced the judges, who are active community members with occupations ranging from the owner of East Liberty’s Shadow Lounge to the director of Student Life at Pitt.

One by one, candidates Olufemi Yetunde Ogunsola, Thrasher, Faith-Rebekkah Ilochi, Braxton Henderson, Tashanna Hatten, Shawn McDonald and Eberechukwu Onouha took the stage in matching jeans and T-shirts.

Stepping in time to “It’s a New Season,” they announced their intended career paths, citing occupations ranging from obstetrician to journalist to developmental psychologist.

The talent portion of the evening showcased the candidates’ vocal, dance and poetic styles. In a less traditional exhibition, Thrasher presented a PowerPoint slideshow of his research project, “Black Churches in East Liberty and their Connection to the Community.” Thrasher said his grandfather was an inspiration for his interest in community and cultural history.

“He was a courageous man,” Thrasher said. “His values that he instilled in me make me want to go further in life.”

Midway through the program, the Shona Sharriff African Drum Ensemble treated the audience to song and dance, then urged audience members onstage to have a go at the traditional steps.

Thrasher, Ilochi, Onouha, and Henderson advanced to the final four, and competition intensified as Gibbons pitched difficult social questions at them.

After brief deliberation, judges pronounced Thrasher and Ilochi the winners.

“As Miss Black University of Pittsburgh, I will continue to help enrich the lives of Pittsburgh youth through programs such as Jumpstart,” Ilochi said.

Thrasher promised to address race issues at the University.

Editor’s note: Jamar Thrasher is a staff writer for The Pitt News.