Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 3 August 2000 — Page 7

The Muncie Times, August 3, 2000, page 7 Black Expo 2000 Miss Muncie Scholarship Pageant

Simmons seeks second chance at crown

Naschelle Simmons, 18, is a graduate of Muncie Southside High School who is enrolled at Ball State University where she will pursue a degree in education. “I want to teach history,” Simmons said. She is a member of the Sister 2 Sister drill team and of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. She was a candidate before and decided to do it again. She said the pageant is something fun and positive to do. “Also, I have confidence that I can win,” she said. She is involved in community service at the South Madison Multi Community Center. I really enjoy working with children, Simmons said. Her advice to peers is to keep God first in their lives and members of the opposite sex at a distance to reduce teen-age pregnancies. She is the daughter of Wondrea and Connie Nevings of Muncie.

Kid-oriented Bauman seeks Black Expo crown Sylvia Bauman, 18, a recent Muncie Southside High School graduate, works at Kings Kids Cultivating Center. “In the future, I plan to attend Ball State University to study child development,” she said. Bauman’s main interests are related to her church activities. She is a member of the Word of Life Christian Church, where she is an active participant in the choir, mime group and RYOT youth group. Bauman said she was encouraged by a neighbor to become involved with the Miss Black Expo Pageant. She said she is also motivated by her relationship with God, the Bible and friends. She enjoys track and eating macaroni and cheese. Her community service focus is working with kids. Her advice to peers: keep God in your life. “We dominate,” she said. “So the devil and our flesh can’t hold us down.” She is the daughter of Marilyn Hobson and Mark Bauman.

Barnes tries again for Black Expo crown

Suzanne Barnes, 18, recently graduated from Muncie Central High School. In the fall she will attend Ivy Tech State

College. Later she plans to transfer to Ball State University and earn a degree in business management and marketing. She enjoys volleyball, traveling and spending time with friends. Barnes was a contestant last year. “It was a way for me to get to know different people, a really good experience,” she said. She describes herself as a self-starter, outgoing and motivated by positive things. Her favorite foods are McDonald’s and Pizza King. She is a member of Cathedral of Praise Church. Her advice to peers: graduate from school, go onto college and get a degree. Suzanne also said: always keep God first, honor and cherish life’s moments, honor your mother and father. She is the

daughter of Clem and Lawana Barnes.

Long sees pageant as way to help community

Erica Rena’ Long, 18, is another recent Muncie Central High School graduate. She is enrolled at Ball State University where she will major in secondary education and minor in Spanish. She is a member of Terrestrial Temple Church of God in Christ where she is active

in Devotion (a mime group) and Voices of Praise choir. Long is on the usher board, and is past president of the youth group. She said she likes to read, talk on the phone and go out with friends. “I look at the pageant as an opportunity for a scholarship as well as meeting new people, hopefully new friends,” she said. “I also think it is a great way to represent the black community of Muncie.” Long’s favorite sport is basketball. Her favorite food is macaroni and cheese. Her words of advice to peers: “always keep God first no matter what you are going through, no matter what others may do to discourage you.” She is the daughter of Rena’ Wagner and Freddie Long.

Last year’s runner up seeks top pageant post Talisa Hopson, 19, is a 1999 graduate of Muncie Southside High School. She is employed at McDonald’s and attends Ivy Tech State College. She wants to attend Ball State University and major in special education and minor in ,social work. Hopson said she loves to sing and dance for God.

She enjoys being around children and helping people with special needs. Her favorite food is strawberries. She has been a volunteer at the South Madison Community Center for 4 years. Last year’s first runner-up, Hopson said she thought she’d give it one more try. “I figured I had no place to go but up,” she said. “I enjoy meeting the new girls. It’s a wonderful experience.” Hopson said she has been motivated by a loving family, church family and knowing that God is always on her side. She is the daughter of Georgette and Artie Cobbins. She is a member of Cathedral of Praise Church.

Contestant Celisha sets sights on pediatrician’s chair

Celisha Simpson, 15, is a junior at Muncie Central High School where she is a member of the French Club and Multicultural Student Union. Her goal is to attend the University of Kentucky and become a pediatrician. She is a member of Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church where she is in the youth group and on the usher board; and choir. Celisha said she though entering the pageant would be a positive and fun