Contact: Brittney Dabney, Office of Communications, Public Realtions and Marketing
After weeks of campaigning and separate events held on April 2 and April 4, Simone Amos and Zavian Bell walked away with the most coveted titles on campus as Miss and Mister Tuskegee University for the 2019-20 academic year.
Amos was crowned the 90th Miss Tuskegee University at the conclusion of the April 4 Miss Tuskegee University grand pageant. She succeeds Courtney Alexis Landrum of Greenville, Alabama, who will continue to pursue her major in occupational therapy.
A junior communications major from Meridian, Mississippi, Amos is the daughter of Roderick Amos and Bonnie DuBose. She has served in a number of student clubs and organizations, including president of the Alpha Epsilon Nu Chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, Communications Honor Society, Tuskegee University Ambassador Program, the Honors Program and a member of the Gamma Tau Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Amos says she recognizes the importance of using her gifts to sow back into the community.
“I’m looking forward to helping the surrounding community, and because of that, I’m excited to leverage my platform, ‘SWING Regardless of Fear,’ which promotes positive self-esteem among students on campus and in the community,” she said.
Upon graduation, she plans to continue her studies in journalism at the graduate level.
Bell, a junior from Willingboro, New Jersey, majoring in communications was selected on April 2 as the 22nd Mister Tuskegee University. He succeeds Tyrin Kirkland of Birmingham, Alabama, who graduates this spring with a degree in finance and accounting.
The son of Curtis and Lawanda Bell, Bell previously served as the 2016-17 Mister Freshman, 2017-18 Mister Kappa Kappa Psi, and 2018-19 Mister Junior. He is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the Marching Crimson Piper Marching Band. A hurdler on the university’s men’s track and field team, he is also a member of The Life of Skegee (TLOS) Media Team, a new student orientation leader, and vice president of the National Panhellenic Council.
“I believe Mister Tuskegee isn’t about the rich name, but enriching lives — and that’s what I’ve been striving to do since I walked through the gates of this illustrious university,” Bell explained. “One of my biggest goals next year is to build school morale by creating a positive social experience for the upcoming freshman class.”
Upon graduation, Bell aspires to become a television or radio personality, and he has dreams of one day hosting the Grammy Awards.
Miss and Mister Tuskegee University will be attended by other members of the Royal Court. Miss Tuskegee University’s first attendant is Amanda Allen, a junior from Decatur, Georgia, who is majoring in English. Her second attendant is Chigozie “Joy” Chinakwe, a junior from Montgomery, Alabama, majoring in chemistry.
Mister Tuskegee’s first gentleman is Fernandez Hunter, a junior from Birmingham, Alabama, majoring in architecture. His second gentleman is Kyler Wells, a junior from Inglewood, California, majoring in biology and mathematics.
The Miss and Mister Tuskegee University titles date back to 1925 and 1999, respectively. As the face of Tuskegee University and a figure that upholds talent, intelligence, and poise, Miss and Mister Tuskegee University reign as the queen and king of the institution. Elected by the student body, they each serve as a leader and a role model to students and youth alike.
Videos of the Miss Tuskegee University pageant and Mister Tuskegee University pageant are available online.
© 2019, Tuskegee University