By Ahmad Kebe
Florida A&M University crowned the 116th Miss Florida A&M University and, the 23rd Mister Florida A&M University in Lee Hall auditorium on Sunday, October 23.
The Student Body of FAMU convened and proclaimed Aliya Everett Miss Florida A&M University and Armani Jones Mister Florida A&M University.
Coronation is a tradition that has been alive for over 30 years. Junior cardiopulmonary science student Jones and senior broadcast journalism student Everett were elected this past spring to serve in the prestigious role.
Everett is a first-generation Rattler. She thanked her mom for her support and said she is starting her legacy at FAMU for generations to come. Her parents met when his father was a. U.S. serviceman stationed in Germany. When the family returned to the U.S., they settled in Blountstown, Florida, where Everett attended schools. She later graduated from Chipola College in Marianna before transferring to FAMU.
“This is something that I have been working toward for years now and that the moment of being coronated meant everything,” said Everett, the first transfer student to be elected Miss FAMU.
Jones spoke about how emotional it was for him to be elected to serve as Mr. FAMU.
“It was definitely a very full moment for me, I was not expecting to be experienced with so many emotions yesterday,” said Jones. “Before they opened the door for me to walk down the aisle, I had a moment to myself, like this is something that I have worked towards and prayed so hard for, so to see all the people there that have supported me along the way and have supported me and Aliya, it is something that makes me realize that I am very blessed and FAMU has given me a lot so I am looking forward to serving and enjoying my homecoming week.”
Coronation kicked off at 6:30 p.m. in the Lee Hall Auditorium. The audience audibly gasped when the curtain rose and the coronation set was unveiled. Several students said the entire décor and flow of the program was done professionally. Andre Green, director of Student Activities for Florida A&M University, said Coronation takes months of planning and organizing.
“It is one of our staple events, which is why the University places the event at the start of the first part of the week of Homecoming,” Green said. “Students, friends and family members of those participating in the coronation are invited to see the students getting crowned.”
