Forty-six years of tradition, culture and confidence filled Reynolds Performance Hall as eight women competed to express their idea of “the essence of a woman.”

The annual Miss Essence pageant, hosted by Students for the Propagation of Black Culture, made its reign Saturday, March 11. The scholarship pageant showcased contestants’ talents, accomplishments, advocacies and beauty. 

SPBC president Adreana Jones said the competition gives women opportunities. 

“We are so excited to keep this yearly tradition alive because it serves as a platform for young women on the UCA campus to embrace who they truly are. It is a time for them to step into their confidence and showcase their beauty as well as what’s in their hearts.”

The eight contestants were junior Andrea Stevenson, freshman Cyn ‘Nae Weston, junior Anessa Bryant, junior Bailee Crawford, senior Takayla Dunn, sophomore Neiya Howell, sophomore Mariuna McClenton and sophomore Briance McBroom. 

After the contestants performed their individual pieces, along with performances by Miss Essence 2021/2022 Jada Simpson and the Dancers United group, a winner was finally announced. 

Anessa Bryant became the new Miss Essence 2023 and received a $1,000 scholarship and a crown almost as sparkly as her gown.

“I was really shocked,” Bryant said, “I didn’t think that I had won, but it was a really good feeling. This was a really great experience… I would like to thank SPBC, all of the other contestants and my family,” Bryant said. 

Receiving first runner-up and a $500 scholarship was McClenton. Stevenson was recognized as second runner-up and was awarded a $300 scholarship. Dunn was the third runner-up, receiving a $150 scholarship. 

The pageant had four categories — interview, talent, social impact and evening wear — with winners in each respective category.

Bryant took home awards for both the interview category and the social impact category, in which she expressed her concern for the lack of minority representation on college campuses and won an additional $100 on top of her scholarship. She also won the people’s choice award — an award voted on by audience members prior to the pageant — and the award for most ad sales for the pageant.

In a powerful poem about being an educated black woman, McClenton dazzled both the audience and the judges, taking home the overall talent award and $100 for her spoken word presentation. 

McClenton was also recognized as Miss Congeniality, an honor voted on by her fellow contestants for being both friendly and helpful during the pageant process.

Dunn was dressed to impress, and she did just that, winning the overall evening wear award.

Dunn also received the most likes on her headshot on the SPBC Instagram page, winning the social media award. 

McBroom was awarded the overall highest GPA award, which was based on standings at the end of the fall 2022 semester.

Being honored as Miss Essence comes with much responsibility.

“Being Miss Essence means representing minorities on campus and really using my platform to give other minorities on campus the same opportunities,” Bryant said.

As Miss Essence, Bryant will compete in the Miss UCA pageant in the fall, representing SPBC. 

Jada Simpson, the reigning Miss Essence and 2023 Miss UCA was at the pageant to crown Bryant. 

Simpson competed in the Miss Essence pageant in November 2021, and a year later took the stage at the Miss UCA pageant where she won and is currently serving her reign as Miss UCA. Simpson expressed at the pageant that the Miss Essence stage is just the beginning, as it was the first pageant she competed at, but is now preparing to compete in the Miss Arkansas pageant in June.

The emcee for the pageant, Tajaro Hudson, who is a UCA alum and currently serves as the associate director of the Office of Diversity and Community at UCA said, “The past two Miss Essence winners have gone on to win the Miss UCA pageant.”

Hudson reiterated the importance of the Miss Essence pageant and how it was a stepping stone for the young women competing. 

The eight women who competed each shared their own gifts and ideas with the audience, and in their own ways represented what the “essence of a woman” truly is.