Myles A. Millsap (Left) and Imani Hadiya Cooper (Right)
Sydne Vigille | The FAMUAN
Florida A&M University kicked off the 2018 Homecoming Week with the crowning of Imani Hadiya Cooper and Myles A. Millsap as their Mister and Miss FAMU at the 112th coronation in the Lee Hall Auditorium on Sept. 30.
Tracy Thomas, Ph.D. led the ceremony introducing the Royal Court and Coronation participants.
The program progressed by allowing all of the university’s kings and queens to walk down the aisle.
The 2017-2018 Mister and Miss FAMU Jordan Sealey and Michelle “Marva” Johnson addressed the student body of FAMU for the last time and took their final walks as the 111th Miss FAMU and the 18th Mister FAMU.
Imani Cooper and Myles Millsap were elected by the FAMU student body through a democratic process and will carry the title of Mister and Miss FAMU for the 2018-2019 academic year.
The Royal Court Attendants include the Queen of Orange and Green Miss Erica Tyler, Miss Graduate Attendant Dominique Parks, Miss Senior Attendant Joslyn Benyard, Miss Junior Attendant Kamiah Milliner, Miss Sophomore Attendant Imani Thomas, and Miss Freshman Attendant Christelle Haygood.
The Royal Escorts include the King of Orange and Green Mister Mark Nicholas, Mister Elijah Casey, Mister Adrian Fyne, Mister Samer Hasona, Mister Teron Hedrington, Mister Theondre Peoples and Mister Luis Rios.
Millsap, master of business administration candidate from Columbia, Maryland, served as a member of the Big Brother Little Brother Mentoring program, the F.Y.E. Peer Mentor Program and the Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity. He is also a National Sales Network student ambassador, a FAMU athletics intern, and the President of the Beta Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Millsap expressed his thanks to God, his parents, his campaign managers, his attendants, escorts, advisors, his BBLB brothers, his Alpha Kappa Psi brothers, his brothers of the Beta Nu chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc, his girlfriend Jimia Brown, as well as the student body for their love and support.
“It was no doubt that this was where I was supposed to be. My grandmother was one of the first residents in Truth Hall and encouraged me to come to the hill,” said an emotional Millsap. “This week I hope that I made her proud.”
Cooper, a biological systems engineering major from Charlotte, North Carolina, serves as the founder of the FAMU Women Student Union, a member of the Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,Inc., a YMCA reads mentor, a member of Alpha Epsilon Honor Society, a peer mentor for student life skills courses, a 2017-2018 White House HBCU All-Star Ambassador, a RAA Middle School Study buddies mentor and a 2017 orientation leader.
A tearful Cooper explained her decision to attend an HBCU.
“A year ago I would have never imagined standing before you today,” said Cooper. “I am extremely humbled and overly gratified by those that supported me to help me become who I am today.”
Cooper reminisced on her journey to becoming the 112th Miss FAMU.
“As I stood before this campus months ago declaring to be your First Lady of the Hill, I meant to do just that,” said Cooper. “I ask that you each with me FAMU as we take this institution to a new level. It’s the beginning of a new era for our institution, an era of hope and possibilities.”
The Coronation continued with The Song of Dedication by Leis Ambrister who performed a contemporary– lyrical piece to George Gershwin's song “Summertime” followed by the Royal Dance of Salutation performed by Mahogany Dance Troupe, who performed a piece to Daniel Cesar’s “Best Part”.
Following the artistic dance number, President Larry Robinson and First Lady Sharon Robinson approached the thrones to bestow Mister and Miss FAMU with gifts followed by all the royal members of each FAMU organization, council and club. This year, FAMU revisited the tradition where every university queen was included in the coronation.
After receiving their presents, Dr. Thomas made her closing remarks and the crowd sang the Alma Mater in unison to bring the ceremony to a close. The audience left Lee Hall delighted with the whole experience.
Following the crowning of Mr. and Miss FAMU was the reception which was held in the Grand Ballroom. Dinner was served. Everyone sat and watched the royal court and the rest of the kings and queens take part in ballroom dancing.
Physical therapy major Ariel Ward was very impressed with this years coronation festivities.
“The attendants are usually dressed in green, this year they wore a white and gold sequin embellished dress but it didn’t distract us from Miss FAMU,” said Ward. “The ceremony was so beautiful and heartfelt. I am so excited to witness the rest of their reign.”
The 112th coronation truly set the tone for “The Experience” to kick off FAMU’s 2018 Homecoming week.