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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 10, 2002
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Birmingham-Southern
College junior Sonya Thomas of Pelham will represent student opinions
on issues of multiculturalism after recently accepting the crown
for Miss Southern Diversity at an inaugural coronation ceremony
on campus.
Thomas, a business administration major and Spanish
minor, was selected by three judges and popular vote by members
of the college's multicultural organizations following eveningwear
and interview competitions.
“Sonya will serve as the most prominent
advocate for diversity issues among our students,” said Dr.
Rushton Johnson, director of multicultural affairs and interim director
of residence life at Birmingham-Southern. “In addition, she
will be responsible for implementing a program to educate the campus
on a multicultural issue of her choosing.”
Thomas also will participate in outreach programs
to neighboring secondary schools to teach students the importance
of community and respecting differences in people, as well as assist
BSC's Office of Multicultural Affairs. In February, she will
serve on a planning committee for Birmingham's annual Diversity
Symposium.
Her student activities include Resident Advisor,
vice president of the Black Student Union, and Honor Council. She
is the daughter of Eddie and Ella Thomas.
Alternate's to the crown were Stephanie
Houston, a junior political science major from Woodland and the
daughter of Ms. Alisea Houston, first attendant; Kandace Hamilton,
a freshman history major from Bay Minette and the daughter of Dunston
and Albertnetta Hamilton, second attendant; Markeitta Nora, a sophomore
economics major from Demopolis and the daughter of Ms. Justine Nora,
third attendant; and Toni Newborn, a senior political science major
from Ensley Park and the daughter of Charles and Debra Newborn,
fourth attendant
The 2003-04 Miss Southern Diversity will be selected
in the spring and crowned next October.
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