Dominican Republic students sweep USU diversity pageant
USU celebrated its diversity last week with events including several film screenings of foreign movies, a student presentation on “Countries and Cultures” and the Mr. and Ms. International Pageant.
The Mr. and Ms. International Pageant is one of two major events held by the International Student Council, said Edward Reeves, faculty adviser for the ISC. The pageant was held Friday in the Taggart Student Center Ballroom, and Reeves said its focus was on cultural diversity.
The contestants, he said, were judged on five criteria: a talent or performance, dress and attire, the short video introduction that each contestant prepared, an application and an impromptu question round.
The pageant hosted 11 student contestants from seven different countries who danced, sang and played instruments – all of which showed some of the cultural roots of their individual nationalities.
Ms. Thailand, Chalita Srilabda, did a martial arts display that involved kicking her male assistant, and Mr. Japan, Ryuchi Yamamoto, performed a vocal piece. After all of the talents were displayed, a question-and-answer round occurred. Ms. Japan, Kasumi Sujimoto, was asked about a memory from her childhood and responded by recounting a childhood tradition. Ms. Ethiopia, Beyene Yondanos, was asked what she would show a friend visiting her country. “Everything, everything they wanted to see,” she said.
After the round, the judges retired to make their decision. While the judges were occupied, there was a musical number from Jin Hui, the 2006 Mr. International. There was also an Indian dance performance by Ranjitha Dhanaserken.
Once the judges returned, the Ms. contenders were announced first. The second runner up was Ms. China, Yunlu Zhang, and the first runner up was Ms. India, Ishani Shukla.
Ms. Dominican Republic, Evaida Santana, was crowned as the new Ms. International for 2007.
For the title of Mr. International, there was a tie for the first and second runners up. These were awarded to Yamamoto and Mr. India, Shashidhir Reddy. Mr. Domincan Republic, Jean Carlos, was awarded Mr. International 2007.
In total, Mr. and Ms. International is a program to spread diversity about the different cultures the ISC, said ISC Cultural Vice President Ho Pun.
“Everyone has talents, and we wanted a show to show their talents,” he said.
“We showed what we got,” Yondanosia said.
Santana said she wanted to show that “We (her culture) always have fun, and we want the other cultures to have fun with us.”
Santana is majoring in international business and said she hopes to earn her master’s and start a successful business.
Carlos said he wanted to give thanks “first to God, thank family, and thanks all Dominicans that are, ever since I have been here (in the U.S.), they have supported me. They have all had a part in this.”
Carlos is majoring in computer engineering and said he wishes to develop his talents, both academically and with his singing voice. He said he wants to help his family in the Dominican Republic and then help underprivileged kids throughout the world.-jordan.cox@aggiemail.usu.edu