Isiadinso takes walk as Miss SU

Chisolu Paula Isiadinso was celebrated as she was crowned Wednesday at the 81st Annual Miss Southern University Coronation as part of this week's homecoming festivities in the Felton G. Clark Activity Center.

The theme for this year's the coronation was "A Classic Southern Fairy Tale: From the Bayou to the Promenade." The stage was decorated accordingly, as it mimicked a French courtyard with a fountain and also a decorated swing center stage for Isiadinso to sit on.

The coronation was hosted by Joshua DuBois and Ja'el Gordon. A host of university officials such as SUBR Chancellor James L. Llorens, were present for the festive event.

Homecoming courts from each university in the Southern University System (Southern University at Shreveport and Southern University at New Orleans) were represented and recognized. Some past Miss Southern Universities who were also in attendance for the coronation and all SUBR residential queens were acknowledged as well.

In true fairytale fashion, Isiadinso arrived in a beautifully decorated, white horse carriage as she smiled and waved at the audience.

"The coronation was enchanting. Miss SU as well as the rest of the court looked gorgeous in their gowns," said Jenny Newman, a junior therapeutic recreation and leisure studies major from Baton Rouge.

Markayla Foster, a junior psychology major from Varnado, La., agrees and said that the coronation is surely something all of the queens of the night will cherish for the rest of their lives.

Chancellor Llorens and Miss Southern University 2010-2011, Kenya Warren, crowned Isiadinso.  Darren Mire, chairman of the Southern University Board of Supervisors, also presented her with scepter of power.

"The coronation was amazing. Everything was well put together. The court was beautiful and represented SUBR very well," said Briron Samuel, a junior nursing major from Jonesville, La.

The coronation also featured the crowning of Isiadinso's royal court; Amber Riley, Miss Senior Jemiela Castleberry, Miss Junior; Ayanna Spivey, Miss Sophomore; and Shanice Sam, Miss Freshman.

"I was excited and proud that I had the chance to witness someone from my hometown get crowned," said Shawnadia Mixon, a junior nursing major from Bogalusa, La., of Miss Junior, Castleberry.

Isiadinso, a Baton Rouge native and 2008 graduate of Christian Life Academy, says giving back to and mentoring kids in the Scotlandville community, campus beautification, and raising money as the Executive Director of the Southern University chapter of "Up 'Til Dawn" for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have been some of her most cherished accomplishments on her extensive list of them as Miss Southern University 2011-2012. She is a political science major with a minor in Spanish and has a current cumulative grade point average of 3.8.

1"Miss Southern's coronation was well coordinated and, as a freshman, it's one I'm sure I'll remember for years to come. Everyone that participated in the event did a great and was well dressed. I was impressed," summed Josh Ross, a freshman business management major from Greensburg, La.