FIU’s Annual Crown Pageant

By: Elena Key // Staff Writer

FIU’s Crown Pageant took place On Oct. 15. After months of planning, the 2021 Homecoming week finally begins. 

Students show their school spirit as they run to be  FIU’s 2021 homecoming Princess, Prince, Dutchess, Duke, King, and Queen.

Those behind the scenes have been planning this since the 2021 spring semester. 

“The admin committee really put their blood, sweat, and tears into this event, and it came out beautiful,“ said Ravyn Maycock, Senior, who worked the check-in at the event.

The event took place at the Graham Center ballroom and was hosted by the 2020 Homecoming King and Queen including a panel of three judges. 

“It feels very surreal, I still remember when I was running for homecoming king and it looked very different because it was during the peak of covid so most of the process was online, it feels amazing to be back on campus and feel the energy and panther spirit,” said host Rafael Vazquez, 2020 homecoming king and 2021 FIU graduate with a bachelors in communications. 

The night began with each contestant introducing themselves and stating what position they are running for. 

“The reason why I am running for homecoming queen is that one of my life mentors ran for the Miss FIU pageant when we used to have [that],’ states Emily Ramos, senior running for homecoming queen. 

“She won… and I saw how her circle of influence increased the moment that the crown was placed on her head. I was like wow I want to have that circle of influence increase and I want to be able to impact this school,” she continues. 

The night continued with a dance competition with the contestants that were separated into four different teams. Including; Golden ladies and Blue Bachelors, Fuego, Holy Ghost Panthers, and Flama Intenso Unit.

Songs from artists such as Bruno Mars, Journey, Whitney Huston, and Flo Rida were used during the competition.

The ultimate winner of the dance section was Flama Intenso Unit.

After intermission, the night continued with FIU trivia,asking contestants questions such as “what was the name of the fourth president of FIU?”, “what was the mascot before Roary?”, and “what is the tallest building at FIU?”

The rounds were organized by separating the contestants into groups for the position they were running for. Each group had five questions.

The night ended with a round of final questions ,asking the candidates one question in need of a possible solution. Questions varied from “how would you encourage students to use FIU’s CAPS resources?”, “what do you propose to fix FIU’s parking issue?” to “what would be your approach for the campus to be smoke and tobacco-free?”

“One way that we can prohibit this behavior is through the use of high detection smoke systems throughout the campus… we can also get a student organization together to roam on campus, patrolling and informing people the negatives of using nicotine devices,” said Nicolas Peta, Freshman Duke candidate, sharing his approach to for smoke and tobacco-free campus. 

Each candidate was then asked why they should be voted for their position. 

“I want to be your supporter, I want to be your friend, I want to be your counselor. I want to be able to pull you out of that darkness that you are possibly stuck [in],” states Annastashia Diaz, homecoming princess candidate, and Junior studying psychology.

“You are not alone, we’re in this together… I’m here for you, regardless of this title. I’m not here to win a title, I’m here to show that I’m here for you… and that I will never leave,” she continues.

After this round, the event ended with the winners of each category scheduled to be announced on later dates.

On Oct. 21, the Duke, Dutchess, Prince, and Princess crowning will take place at the UnCaging event.

The King and Queen crowning will occur at FIU’s Oct. 23 Homecoming Football Game.