Newspaper Page Text
Wanda Nesbitt (left),
gave up her crown to
Earnelle Pritchet,
former first attendant
(right) due to financial
problems with the school
beyond her control.
By Jay me L. Bradford
Editorial Page Editor
For the first time in the history of
ClarkAtlanta University, Miss CAU,
was forced to step down due to
financial circumstances beyond her
control.
Three weeks ago, Wanda Nesbitt
was notified of her replacement
upon receiving a letter on the guide
lines of the queen said Dr. Larry
Earvin, dean of students and asso
ciate provost.
According to Ms. Nesbitt, she
had been having problems this year
getting into school. “I had a balance
last year. I was really having prob
lems. I figured that I could not
possibly be Miss CAU without being
enrolled,” she said.
Despite rumors of her not being
registered last semester, Ms. Nesbitt
claims that she was enrolled with
18 hours.
Dean Earvin said that Earnelle
Pritchett, former first attendant to
Miss CAU, has accepted the title.
“It is my duty as first attendant to
fulfill the position as Miss CAU. I
am glad to be able to represent the
school in this capacity,” Ms.
Pritchett said.
She made her first official appear
ance in Passion for Hair, the Pro-
Line hair and fashion show, in the
Vivian Wilson Henderson Center
Feb. 21. Ms. Pritchett also partici
pated in the Student Leadership
Conference held on Feb. 22 through
23 at the Howard-Johnson Hotel.
“I don't think that I have been
presented well. I am pushing for
something more official so that the
whole school can know," Ms.
Pritchett said.
According to Dean Earvin, Ms.
Pritchett will be representing CAU
in at least six events, including the
Miss Collegiate African American
pageant in May.
“I’ve gotten a pretty warm recep
tion from students, but a lot of
people have asked me what hap
pened,” said Ms. Pritchett.
Ms. Nesbitt said a lot of students
are saying, “Oh my God, they
(administration) didn’t help you.”
According to Ms. Nesbitt, you are
a regular student when it comes to
money. “I think that school repre
sentatives get used. At CAU you are
only a student with a title. You have
no power.
Dean Earvin said that he believes
that the Student Government As
sociation recognized this possibil
ity when constructing the constitu
tion, which provides for succession
in case students are not able to
serve.
“I feel like I’m just turning over
the title. I still feel like I’m Miss CAU
because I was voted in by the stu
dents. It hasn't been traumatic not
being Miss CAU; it’s been traumatic
not being in school,” said Ms.
Nesbitt.
Dean Earvin said that this could
happen at any school. It's not a
smudge against Ms. Nesbitt or the
school, and it's certainly not being
viewed by administration in that
way.
According to Ms. Pritchett, the
ordeal is unfortunate and some
thing Ms. Nesbitt probably could
not help. “It could have happened
to me. God doesn’t like ugly and
the shoe could very well be on the
other foot,” she said.
“It’s ridiculous that there are no
scholarships available for Miss CAU
and the SGA Presidents. If I could
cash in everything I bought and
spent on coronation—I would be in
school,” Ms. Nesbitt said.
The school does provide comple
mentary housing and $1200 per
semester fee wavier for Miss CAU
and the SGA Presidents.
Dean Earvin also said adminis
tration hates to see any student
interrupt his or her studies in
school.
According to Ms. Nesbitt, other
queens are taken care of. “I trav
eled to a pageant and it was sick
ening to listen to other queens talk
about their provisions,” she said.
“People have called me the “Con
troversial Queen." I’m not skinny;
I’m too down; something is always
wrong. The rumors started when I
first opened my mouth about my
decision to run for Miss CAU. I
appreciate the rumors because I’ve
become a stronger person,” said
Nesbitt.
One of Ms. Pritchett's goals as
Miss CAU is to do a tour through
the Atlanta Public School system.
“I want to let students know that
Morehouse and Spelman are not
the only schools in the Atlanta
University Center,” she said.
“Wanda and I basically have the
same agenda and this tour will be a
continuation of what we both want
to do. I definitely want her to help,
but I know that it will be difficult for
her,” said Ms. Pritchett.
In addition, Ms. Pritchett also
wants to improve the standards of
the Student Elections Committee
(SEC). “I want the SEC to be tighter
by following up on what they say
they are going to do. I don’t want the
contestants to go through the same
ordeal we went through,” she said.
Although Ms. Prichett does not
believe that anything has happened
to tarnish her image, she does feel
that the role of Miss CAU is not
taken as seriously as it should be.
“If the role was taken seriously,
none of these things would have
happened,” she said.
However, Ms. Nesbitt feels that
the incident reflects the school.
“The important thing that will
come out of this is that people will
form their own opinion of the school
and the people they put into office,”
said Ms. Nesbitt.
Ms. Nesbitt believes that she ful
filled her duties as queen. “I don’t
think that I’ve let anyone down. It
was important that I did my best. I
think I did it because of the
alligations and rumors. I don’t care
if I have a 2.5 or a 5.5" she said.
LaKesha Gage contributed to
this article.