From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Fri Nov 06 2009 - 07:46:00 EST
*Yohana Ghirmazion (Miss Eritrea)*
Freshman Ghirmazion, 18, was born in Eritrea. At age 6, she came to the U.S.
with her family and spent the rest of her life in Kansas City. Eritrea
gained independence only eight years ago, she said.
She said she enjoys listening to music, playing sports such as soccer and
basketball and meeting new people. She describes herself as an observant
person and a risk-taker.
Out of the nine languages spoken in Eritrea, she speaks Tigrinya.
" 'Awet n'hafash' means 'Power to the people,' " she said.
Ghirmazion has not yet decided on a major, but plans to go into the medical
field
MU hosts Miss Africa Mizzou Pageant
By Dreana Johnson
Published Nov. 6, 2009
MU women will compete Sunday to become Miss Africa Mizzou 2009.
African Student Association coordinator Patricia Vewenda-Mabengo explained
the ideas for the show came from seeing stereotypes of different women. She
also wanted to present different ideas about Africa other than politics,
warfare, diseases and the economy.
"You can expect the diverse from Africa," Vewenda-Mabengo said. "Expect to
see diversity and talent from the fashion in clothes, poetry, dancing and
the whole platform."
This show provides an idea about the intellectual mind of a woman from
Africa, Vewenda-Mabengo said.
*Kiarah Moore (Miss Liberia)*
Sophomore Moore, 19, is hard at work with being a full time student,
launching her fashion business and working part time as the student manager
at a dining hall on campus.
As she sews her apparel for the pageant, she talks about her culture.
"Liberia is closely linked to America," Moore said. "There are many American
names and many people know English. The country was founded by freed African
slaves."
Moore is an accounting major from Chicago. She said she is determined to
work hard at accomplishing her goals and taking on any challenges coming her
way.
*Stephine Nwaneri (Miss Nigeria)*
Sophomore Nwaneri, 19, from Kansas City, loves the college life, but said
her main focus is getting her degree in biology.
She works part time as the student assistant at the Family Community
Medicine department at the MU School of Medicine. Nwaneri said she is
managing her time well with everything she's involved in.
"Women in Africa have full time jobs and they work hard," Nwaneri said.
"From being hostess to cooking and cleaning."
Although Nwaneri is hard at work she still finds time to go to the gym and
be active, which she said she enjoys.
*Yohana Ghirmazion (Miss Eritrea)*
Freshman Ghirmazion, 18, was born in Eritrea. At age 6, she came to the U.S.
with her family and spent the rest of her life in Kansas City. Eritrea
gained independence only eight years ago, she said.
She said she enjoys listening to music, playing sports such as soccer and
basketball and meeting new people. She describes herself as an observant
person and a risk-taker.
Out of the nine languages spoken in Eritrea, she speaks Tigrinya.
" 'Awet n'hafash' means 'Power to the people,' " she said.
Ghirmazion has not yet decided on a major, but plans to go into the medical
field.
*Mrembo Palai (Miss Tanzania)*
Freshman Palai, 18, came to the U.S. from Tanzania, in the eastern part of
Africa, in 1995 with her family.
The freshman from Kansas City is studying biology with a minor in Spanish.
She said it makes her happy to help as many people as she can.
Palai said tutoring kids and working part time at an elderly health care
facility in Kansas City brings her joy and happiness.
"There are many more educational opportunities in the U.S. than there are in
Tanzania," Palai said. "But Tanzania is naturally beautiful and naturally
peaceful."
After college, Palai plans to travel and hopes to become a pediatrician.
**************
Source for the following info is Facebook:
As part of the African Students Association-Mizzou objective to help
showcase to the students of MU about the diverse cultures from the continent
of Africa, it is our obligation to produce an event that can display the
entertaining and appealing element of Africa. On Sunday November 8, 2009 ASA
will be hosting the Miss Africa Mizzou Pageant at Stotler Lounge (Memorial
Union North). Four girls representing the countries of Liberia, Nigeria,
Eritrea and Tanzania, will be competing for the title of Miss Africa Mizzou.
*********************
Miss Africa is a young lady that represents not just her country but the
whole continent of Africa and the campus of Mizzou in character, intellect,
achievements and beauty. The pageant will help demonstrate the compelling
and eye-catching aspect of Africa and better embody its women. ASA aims to
illustrate the different dimensions of beauty in Africa and to advertise
African Student Association on a broader appeal while promoting the essence
of African queens.
*********************
The girls will participate in several community services and fundraising
events throughout the month of October, as well as advocate a platform
concerning a specific issue arising in the continent of Africa, during the
show. The winner of Miss Africa will reign for one year and represent our
organization at many events on campus. Our Queen contestants are judged in
originality, personality, individuality, presentation, confidence and
relevance to African culture throughout the show. The girls will compete in
talent, evening gown and African attire segments. In addition, each
contestant will answer on stage interview questions pertaining to their
country and platform.
***Meet the Girls***
Kiarah Moore
Year: Sophomore
Country: Liberia
Platform: Female Genital Mutilation
Mrembo Palai
Year: Freshman
Country: Tanzania
Platform: Healthcare
Stephine Nwaneri
Year: Sophomore
Country: Nigeria
Platform: Healthcare sanitation
Yohana Ghirmazion
Year: Freshman
Country: Eritrea
Platform: Economic inflation
*************************************************************************************
Support our Miss Africa contestants by purchasing ads:
2 full pages $80
Full page $60
Half page $30
Quarter page $15
Business Card $10
Patron $5
*************************************************************************************
……::::::TICKETS GO ON SALE NOVEMBER 2nd::::::……
For more information or to help sponsor or volunteer please contact Patricia
Vewenda triciasimbu@gmail.com (573) 673-0576
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----