From: wolda002@umn.edu
Date: Wed Nov 11 2009 - 20:35:49 EST
MU hosts Miss Africa Mizzou Pageant
By Dreana Johnson
Published Nov. 6, 2009
Katie Prince/Graphic Designer
« Previous Next »
(View large image browser)
Correction appended
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.
Correction:
Eritrea was liberated 18 years ago, not eight. The Maneater regrets the
error.
(Added 4:46 p.m., November 9, 2009)
Comments (2)
12:55 p.m., Nov. 6, 2009
yonas said:
Eritrea was liberated 18 yrs ago last May 24. Thanks!
7:14 p.m., Nov. 9, 2009
Berhane Ghirmazion said:
Yohana spent the rest of her life in Columbia Mo. Not in Kansas City. Her
dad Berhane Thanks!
----[This List to be used for Eritrea Related News Only]----