The 20th annual Miss Black NIU pageant, themed “Reclaiming our Afrikan Jewels,” crowned senior journalism major Tamara Duncan as its Queen Mother.

Duncan was chosen after the four contestants gave presentations and performed for the crowd of about 200 people.

“I am very happy,” Duncan said. “I am so proud of the girls and all the work we all did. It really showed.”

Collette Walton, a junior media studies major, was crowned Princess Regent, the title given to the second-place winner.

The responsibilities of the winner include speaking at several events scheduled for next year, including numerous cultural affairs activities and new student welcome days.

“The winner also has to help organize next year’s pageant,” said senior electrical engineering major Tia Stafford, who was NIU’s 2004 Queen Mother.

The audience witnessed an extensive talent portion performed by the contestants which included a dance piece, two songs and a speech.

Third-place finisher Janice Allen performed “Black Herstory and Black Sisters,” a piece she created detailing a short history of African and African American female leaders.

“When it was time to fight the good fight, these sisters knew their business and let God do the rest,” Allen said to the crowd.

Second runner-up Nicole Jones sang a short piece for the audience.

“I’m a S.I.S.T.E.R., and I helped out the past two years,” Jones said. “So, I wanted to participate this year.”

The pageant also consisted of three separate question-and-answer portions, presentations on four African countries and a unity dance performed by the contestants.

“To me, being a black woman means that you are courageous, powerful and always finish your goals,” Jones said during the evening wear question-and-answer portion.

“Everybody’s a winner in my eyes,” Duncan said. “I didn’t really see this as a competition because I came away with some really good friends.”