By MiKenna Williams
The contestants anxiously await the announcement. Then, her heart bursts with a mix of emotions as her name is called out.
Bershell posing after her crowing.
(Photo by Asia Noble)
Juliana Bershell, a sophomore psychology major from Denton, Texas, is the 2015 winner of the Miss Black TTU pageant and the first one to fill that role in over a decade.
“I really hope that with this crowning I’m able to make a difference, not just on campus but more so in the Lubbock community,” Bershell said. “I want to implement the idea of diversity and model good leadership characteristics for others who may not feel as confident in trying new things.”
Miss Black TTU 2015 “will represent the black community within the homecoming royal court of Fall 2016,” according to last month’s TechAnnounce notice about the pageant.
Jah-Nii Munoz, the Black Student Association (BSA) membership chair, said Miss Black TTU serves as a symbol of diversity.
“She’s really an icon, participates in community service and is an extension of another board member that promotes publicity of the organization as well as diversity,” Munoz said.
BSA President Erica Brooks said discrimination on campus in the 1990s led the black community to create its own annual pageant. During this time, women of color were not allowed to serve on the Texas Tech homecoming court.
Black Student Association Executive Board Members and the Miss Black TTU 2015 winner.
(Photo by Bobby James)
Miss Black TTU was introduced in 1992, when Sonya Sloan gained national attention as the first African-American homecoming queen at Texas Tech.
Bershell said being crowned was all about believing in herself and simply going for it, all while stepping outside her comfort zone.
“I have always been one to not really step outside my comfort zone,” Bershell said. “So when I heard about it, I thought it would be really interesting to do, and to be able to show others that it’s OK if you’re different. You can still try something new because you never know what the outcome will be.”
Bershell said she prepared for this pageant by practicing twice a week, asking friends for a lot of feedback and praying.
Juliana Bershell warming up before the Miss Black TTU talent segment.
(Photo by Jacqueline Guardiola)
“I choreographed my personal dance at home, and [received] lots of prayers and critiques from friends, just so I could improve everything before the show,” Bershell said.
Bershell said many people supported her throughout the entire process, including her mom, friends, family and church back home.
“My mom would call and check on me,” Bershell said. “My church family back home was praying for me and sent me gift cards to help alleviate the cost of some of the things I had to buy. I had support coming from all different areas and some very strong voices of reason.”
Many of the pageant attendees and BSA executive board members describe Bershell as a kind-hearted soul.
“Juliana is very bubbly, smart and highly dedicated person,” Brooks said. “I will never forget [how at] one practice we were discussing details regarding the event, and Juliana had an entire binder dedicated to the pageant. I have to say she is very organized.”
Bershell said she feels honored knowing she made history as the first Miss Black TTU in over a decade, and the pageant was very overwhelming but worth it.
“I feel honored to even be able to participate in an event of this caliber,” Bershell said. “It was a learning experience and very touching to see how many people came out to support me.”
Since the Oct. 16 crowning, Brooks said, Bershell has been an active figure within BSA and the Lubbock community.
Jah-Nii Munoz (left) crowning Juliana Bershell (right) as Miss Black TTU 2015
(Photo by Bobby James)
Bershell said her goal is to help others.
“I plan on bettering my organization and its members by continuing to implement myself in more community service activities and involving myself in making sure that my presence is known positively through a servant-like outlook,” Bershell said.
Being crowned Miss Black TTU is much bigger than a personal accomplishment, she said.
“I don’t want to look at it as a title but more of something that I can share with everyone because it’s all about infusing diversity,” Bershell said.
Video by Victoria Holloway
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