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Clark Atlanta University Panther
October 19, 1990
Homecoming Coronation
Gets Back To The Basics
By CYDNEY WILLIAMS
Managing Editor
The crowd filtered in slowly
like sand running through an
hour-glass. Eventually, the
Vivian Wilson Henderson
Gymnasium was filled with
people anxiously awaiting
Coronation 1990-1991 to get
underway.
What a difference a year
makes. Coronation 1989-1990
took a journey back home to
the motherland. The queens
were dressed in African attire
accompanied by the strong
rhythm and beats of drums.
However, Coronation 1990-
1991 danced to a new beat and
tune called tradition.
According to Gay-linn
Gatewood Jasho, homecoming
committee member, the themes
are “based on the queen’s
wishes.” Therefore, last year’s
idea of going back home to
African tradition was the idea
of Annalise Fonza, 1989-1990
Miss Clark Atlanta University.
Everything must change with
a new beginning. The same
holds true for time and
Coronation 1990 was a perfect
example of this. Her Highness,
Trecia Wilhite, chose to go
back to the basics and made
this year's coronation tradi
tional with a touch of elegance.
The audience had the delight
of enjoying the sounds of Clark
Atlanta University’s Jazz
Orchestra which filled the air
on this special occasion.
However, the jazz orchestra
may have had to pull a couple
of extra songs from underneath
their hats. Coronation got off
to a tardy start this year. That
is something this year’s
coronation had in common
with last year’s coronation.
Nevertheless, as the crowd
waited for festivities to begin,
they grew restless. This is
exactly when the sounds of the
band came and embraced the
air.
When the mistress and
master of ceremonies, Cha-
ronne Pittman and Robert
Gilchrist, announced “We will
now have a special selection,”
and there was no special
selection at that moment of the
program, the crowd remained
silent. No need to fear however,
things picked up quite nicely.
The Royal Court made their
way to the stage, each adding
their touch of class and grace.
Just as soon as everything was
beginning to look up, wham!
The entire gymansium trans
formed into a complete picture
of darkness. The entire Atlanta
University Center was dark
because of a power outtage.
Through the midst of darkness
the queen and her court
remained on stage. Neverthe
less, within minutes the lights
came on glowing and bright.
First Attendant to Miss CAU,
Durrell S. Davis, said, “All we
could do was pray at the time
the lights went out.”
In spite of all the technical
difficulties the show still went
on. The royal court proceeded
by the class, Greek, dormitory
and service organization
queens displayed their beauty.
However, the highlight of the
evening was soon to come. The
moment was now at hand, the
crowning of the queen. Ms.
Fonza took her final walk as
queen. The moment now
belonged to Ms. Wilhite who
glowed like a sunbeam. Dr.
Thomas W. Cole, president of
Clark Atlanta University,
placed the crown on her head
along with draping the royal
cape along her shoulders. The
moment belonged to Ms.
Wilhite.
Many people said that this
year’s coronation was nice and
simple. Farina Hayes who
particiapted in coronation this
year and last year said, “1
enjoyed this year more than last
year because it was straight and
to the point.” She referred to
last year’s coronation being
very lenghthy with all of the
entertainment.
Without a shadow of a doubt
each person has a different
opinion of homecoming this
year and last year. “I enjoyed
working with last year’s
homecoming the best,” said
Ms. Jasho. She explained how
much she loved helping with all
of the clothing from Africa
which she helped to sunni",
Ms. Jasho has lived in „mui
and is also married to a man
from Kenya. She has a
wardrobe full of African
clothing, she said.
However, despite the
changes from coronation 1989
and 1990 there seems to be one
common factor and that is
tardiness. Other individuals
who attended cronation this
year used the opportunity while
waiting for the show to begin to
complain and make compari
sons from this year’s and last
year's.
Everyone has been talking
about this year’s court and how
beautiful they are. “Not only
are they beautiful but they are
also spiritual,” said Rev. Paul
Easley, campus minister.
“Therefore, this year’s court
has something on the inside as
well as the outside.” Ms.
Wilhite stressed in all of her
public addresses during
homecoming week how she
puts Christ first in her life.
“That is the only way I can
make it.”
This year’s coronation was
also accompanied by a new
twist of preentertainment.
There was a slide presentation
by Tyraun Patterson, better
known as “Ty.” Patterson is a
graduate of CAU. The slide
presentation consisted of the
queen and her court in action
around the city. It also gave a
look at some of the campus life
at CAU.
PHOTO BY DERWIN ROSS
The CA U Cheerleaders pump up the spirit during the Homecoming Parade.
Homecoming Highlights
.. t*
y s
PHOTO DERWIN ROSS
Tiffany Strawbridge, 2nd A ttendant gather after
the Homecoming Coronation ceremonies.
(Left to right) DurellDavis, 1st Attendant; Dr.
Thomas W. Cole, Jr., president of Clark Atlanta
University; Trecia Wilhite, Miss CAU; and
PHOTO BY DERWIN ROSS
Mr. and Mrs. Honors Program, Luster of onlookers at the Homecoming Parade.
Chauncey and Dana Patterson, wave to a crowd