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I AM WHO I SAY I AM
Talent
Miss Black & Gold 2014-2015
Kappa Beta Chapter
Miss Quenosha Payton
Hometown: Laurel, Mississippi
Bachelors of Business Administration
Platform: I Am Who I Say I Am
Growing up my role model was not Oprah Winfrey, Tyra Banks, or my mother; it was a woman from my
hometown, Laurel, MS named Urica Walker. Ever since I could remember she exuded everything that I wanted to be. She walked with confidence, spoke eloquently, and was a businesswoman. The one thing that I remember so strongly about her was that she knew where she was going. After being around her, she opened my eyes about how important preparing for my future was. I began to do research and ask questions in the hope of preparing for life after high school. Entering my sophomore year of high school, I chose business as my field of study and soon after that I chose a university. My name is Quenosha Payton, a first generation college student and with her help I am a senior Marketing Major at Mississippi State University. I am becoming who I want to be, which is a future Marketing Executive. I am confident, focused, and driven. These qualities and more are what I think every girl should have in her journey of becoming who she strives to be.
I visited my family a couple of weeks before the pageant and I was asked to speak to a group of girls preparing for college. They each were eager to know what it was like to be a college student and of course I was excited to honestly answer all of their questions. Before beginning, I had only two questions for them; what do you plan to major in and where do you plan to attend college? Unfortunately, these questions turned out to be not so simple because they all had no answer. After ending the conversation with the young ladies it made me feel stronger about my platform, “ I Am Who I Say I Am.”
As Miss Black and Gold, I want to be a role model to girls entering high school in the hope of encouraging them to start preparing for their future professions. Being able to define herself as a future doctor, lawyer, or whoever they strive to be as an adult, in my opinion, is an advantage that they need. My platform, “I Am Who I Say I Am” encourages young ladies to start researching what it takes to become who they want to be, carry themselves in a respectable manner, and gain the confidence to keep pushing toward their dreams.
Thank you,
Quenosha Payton
I am Quenosha Payton, the reigning Miss Black and Gold of the Kappa Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Although, I am a recent graduate from Mississippi State University with my Bachelors of Business Administration in Marketing my responsibilities as queen are far from over. The day I became a graduate of MSU was my highest achievement, but my second was becoming the Queen and representative of your fraternity. My crown is more than a sign of beauty, intelligence, and strength, but it is a symbol of the respect I have for the three aims. I am so thankful for the opportunities it has brought me whether it was signing autographs, waving to the crowd of screaming fans at athletic events, or helping the community alongside the chapter members. I strived to show the entire school not just the minority population who the Kappa Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was. I hope that after reading this letter you will find it in your hearts to help me accomplish one last goal. As Miss Black and Gold I chose to create my own platform that embodied the aims; "manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind”.
My platform, “I Am Who I Say I Am” is designed to help young women approaching college understand what to expect during their first year of college and how to prepare for college. I believe that being able to define themselves as a future doctor, lawyer, or whoever they strive to become as an adult professionally with planning is an advantage they need. My plan is during the month of September 2015 to regularly advise eight high school seniors through researching major requirements for their chosen occupation, possible colleges that offer their field, ACT prep, and FAFSA and MTAG Q&A sessions. To give them an even more advantage of how to present themselves, I also will advise them on how to conduct themselves as respectable ladies. As a reward for finishing the program on October 3, 2015, with your help as a sign of their growth and development into eager young college professional I plan to host a Debutant Ball honoring them. With your help I strive on giving certificates and a scholarship to one of the eight participants. That scholarship will go towards paying for ACT tests, college applications, and on campus expenses. The event will be open to the public through tickets sales, the link can be found on the reservations page. I feel that our alumni, MSU student body, and Greek community would be excited to attend an elegant affair such as this. It shows the high standards of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and myself in the empowerment of women. With my platform they will start now, not later, in finding whom they are and want to be in our society driven by titles.
Your donations will be greatly appreciated. I also would like to thank you in advance for your time, consideration, and generosity. If you have any questions please contact Kappa Beta Chapter President, Jeremy Knott and I, 2014-2015 Miss Black and Gold, Quenosha Payton. Sincerely, Quenosha Payton2014-2015 Miss Black and GoldKappa Beta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Thank you,
Quenosha Payton
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