After students waited in the cold in front of the student activities building, the 2008-2009 spring election results for Mr. and Miss FAMU were announced at midnight.
Omari Crawford, 21, jumped for joy as he was announced Mr. FAMU with 1,195 votes.
Candidates De Nishia Yearby, Amanda Bryd and Scarlett Williams campaigned for the 2008-2009 title of Miss FAMU. With a nine-vote difference, Bryd and Williams will have a runoff Thursday.
Bryd, 22, a senior occupational therapy student from Atlanta, was in the lead with 1,011 votes from the student body in comparison to Williams with 1,002 votes.
“I feel blessed. I’m praying and hoping that everything works out,” Byrd said. “I am looking forward to Thursday so that I will be at peace.”
Yearby, 21, ended with 191 votes from the student body.
“I really had a great time, and it was a great experience,” said Yearby, a third-year broadcast journalism student from Chicago. “My dedication to help the University and passion to build is still the same.”
Yearby said it was unfortunate that people overlooked credentials and voted based on what she called “hearsay campaigning.”
Williams refused to comment to The Famuan about the run-off.
The 2006-2007 Queen of Orange and Green, Benicia Mitchell, was eager to await the results of all the elections.
“After the pageant, both campaign parties worked hard for a chance to win a title,” said Mitchell, 20, a junior mathematical education student from Triangle, Va. “All the candidates made it hard as far as choosing the right candidate for the position as Mr. and Miss FAMU.”
On the male side of the race, Crawford, a senior political science student from Atlanta, celebrated with chants and stepping on The Set with Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Crawford has never before been a part of a campaign at FAMU.
“It was a lot of fun and it was a wonderful experience,” he said. “I am very excited about the outcome of the campaign.”
Crawford was thankful for his parents, his campaign team and supporters of his race, which he said led to his victory.
Jarveal Baker, 21, a junior accounting student form Winter Haven, came in second with 513 votes. “I think I did a good job,” he said. “I did the best I could with the circumstances presented before me.”
Not far behind with 349 votes, Shawn Whitehorn’s “FAMU Renaissance” platform caught people’s attention as well to vote.
“As a whole, everyone was active and each candidate had an unique campaign,” said Whitehorn, 20 a junior architecture student from Indianapolis, Ind. “Everyone brought something different to the table.”
James Nero came in fourth place with 145 votes and was unable for comment.
Current Miss FAMU Sheerie Edwards, 21, a senior pharmacy student form Miami, said, “I am very pleased with the students at FAMU that are taking a stand and are running for elected positions on campus.”
Edwards said it takes a lot of courage to declare candidacy and run a fair race.
“I wish all the candidates the best of luck whether the results are in their favor or not. I pray that the next elected Miss Florida A&M University carries the legacy as a positive, strong minded and loving queen as the face of this University,” she said.