Last night, the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.-Mu Omicron Chapter, hosted the 2012 Miss Black and Gold Georgia Pageant in the UC Theater at 7 p.m.

 “Fashion Week in Paris” was the theme as five ladies walked onto the stage to win this year’s Miss Black and Gold.

 The winner of the pageant, junior theatre major Darshanna Loveland, received $600 to put towards three programs for her   “Stop the Silence” platform.

Janequa Williams, freshman speech communication-public relations major, was Miss Gold as she received $300 towards two programs under her “Take a Stand against Multiple Sclerosis” platform.

 Miss Black went to Alexis Bell, sophomore mass media major. She received $150 towards one program for her “Sweet Victory” platform.

 Loveland not only took home Miss Black and Gold, she swept the competition as she also grabbed the Physical Fitness Award, the Community Service Award, the People’s Choice Award and the Talent Award.

Williams also won the Scholarship Award and the Goodwin-Kea Award.

 Bell took with her the Sphinx Award and Miss Congeniality.

Carolyn Ayinla, junior psychology major, won the Spirit Award.

 The pageant opened with each contestant carrying bags that characterized the country that they chose to represent. On the bags, were words that they thought best described the women of that particular country. The chosen characteristics were class, strong, poise and hopeful.

 They did an introductory dance as the Miss Black and Gold hopefuls gave speeches illustrating their platforms.

 Sophomore Brittany Hewitt created the platform “Inequality is an Injustice,” which focused on bullying in the LGBT community. Loveland’s platform went against the infamous “No Snitching” policy. Ayinla hoped to bring to light the issue of teen pregnancy with her “Prevent and Prevail” platform. Williams platform included raising awareness about multiple sclerosis while Bell wants to raise awareness about diabetes.

 The pageant, then, moved on to the swimsuit portion before heading into the talent competition.

 Hewitt performed a poem titled, “Color Blind.” Loveland performed a self-written poem titled “Has Hushing Gone Too Far?” Both Williams and Ayinla did interpretive dance performances to their chosen songs. Bell sung “At Last,” by Etta James. .

 After a brief intermission, the evening gown portion came up as the contestants showed off their flowing gowns. Also a part of this section, each young lady was asked a question in which they gave their responses to before judging.