Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

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.