MU hosts Miss Africa Mizzou Pageant

By Dreana Johnson

Published Nov. 6, 2009

Correction appended

MU women will compete Sunday to become Miss Africa Mizzou 2009.

African Student Association coordinator Patricia Vewenda-Mabengo explained the ideas for the show came from seeing stereotypes of different women. She also wanted to present different ideas about Africa other than politics, warfare, diseases and the economy.

"You can expect the diverse from Africa," Vewenda-Mabengo said. "Expect to see diversity and talent from the fashion in clothes, poetry, dancing and the whole platform."

This show provides an idea about the intellectual mind of a woman from Africa, Vewenda-Mabengo said.

Kiarah Moore (Miss Liberia)

Sophomore Moore, 19, is hard at work with being a full time student, launching her fashion business and working part time as the student manager at a dining hall on campus.

As she sews her apparel for the pageant, she talks about her culture.

"Liberia is closely linked to America," Moore said. "There are many American names and many people know English. The country was founded by freed African slaves."

Moore is an accounting major from Chicago. She said she is determined to work hard at accomplishing her goals and taking on any challenges coming her way.

Stephine Nwaneri (Miss Nigeria)

Sophomore Nwaneri, 19, from Kansas City, loves the college life, but said her main focus is getting her degree in biology.

She works part time as the student assistant at the Family Community Medicine department at the MU School of Medicine. Nwaneri said she is managing her time well with everything she's involved in.

"Women in Africa have full time jobs and they work hard," Nwaneri said. "From being hostess to cooking and cleaning."

Although Nwaneri is hard at work she still finds time to go to the gym and be active, which she said she enjoys.

Yohana Ghirmazion (Miss Eritrea)

Freshman Ghirmazion, 18, was born in Eritrea. At age 6, she came to the U.S. with her family and spent the rest of her life in Kansas City. Eritrea gained independence only eight years ago, she said.

She said she enjoys listening to music, playing sports such as soccer and basketball and meeting new people. She describes herself as an observant person and a risk-taker.

Out of the nine languages spoken in Eritrea, she speaks Tigrinya.

" 'Awet n'hafash' means 'Power to the people,' " she said.

Ghirmazion has not yet decided on a major, but plans to go into the medical field.

Mrembo Palai (Miss Tanzania)

Freshman Palai, 18, came to the U.S. from Tanzania, in the eastern part of Africa, in 1995 with her family.

The freshman from Kansas City is studying biology with a minor in Spanish. She said it makes her happy to help as many people as she can.

Palai said tutoring kids and working part time at an elderly health care facility in Kansas City brings her joy and happiness.

"There are many more educational opportunities in the U.S. than there are in Tanzania," Palai said. "But Tanzania is naturally beautiful and naturally peaceful."

After college, Palai plans to travel and hopes to become a pediatrician.