The culminating event of the Pan African Student Leadership Conference is the Mr. & Ms. Pan African Talent Celebration. The talent celebration is an opportunity for contestants to demonstrate their leadership skills, talents, creativity and knowledge of their heritage through songs, poetry, dance, drama and other methods of appropriate expression. The main focus of this talent celebration is to celebrate the beauty of one's heritage as it relates to thought, life and spirituality. This event will show
The talent celebration will consist of a variety of competitive events for female and male students who are currently in good standing, enrolled at an institution of higher learning or sponsored by a minority agency. The main focus is to celebrate the beauty of heritage as it relates to thought, life and spirituality.
Participants must be in good academic standing at their educational institution (2.0 on a 4 point scale).case the qualities and character of each of the contestants.
Talent celebration application form, photo, fee, plus conference registration form and fee must be submitted by January 16, 2009.
Participants are asked to work closely with academic institution's director or sponsoring agency's director to prepare for the talent celebration.
Participants are required to attend the 33rd Pan African Student Leadership Conference including general assemblies, critical dialogue sessions and concurrent sessions as questions for the interviews will come from information provided in these sessions.
Participants must attend scheduled rehearsals. Rehearsals are tentatively scheduled for Friday, February 27, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 28, 2009 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Participants will be judged on the following criteria (100 points total):
Attendance at Pan African Student Leadership Conference, General Assemblies, Critical Dialogue Sessions, and Concurrent Sessions. (35 points)
During the first segment of the talent celebration, contestants will have the opportunity to introduce themselves to the judges and the audience. Contestants will be judged based on their ability to communicate clearly and effectively as well as portray self-confidence and poise. It is important to make a good first impression. (20 points)
Talent will be judged on creativity and originality. It must not exceed four minutes. It is also strongly suggested that talent presentations carry themes based on Afro-centric thought or culture. (20 points)
During this last segment of the competition, contestants will be asked questions relevant to African/African American issues and concerns highlighted at the conference. (25 points)
Participants are responsible for supplying musical, visual or other supportive materials for talent. Oral presentations must be memorized, not read.
All participants and sponsoring institutions will receive participation awards. Special gifts are awarded to participants by their placement in the talent celebration. First place will receive a color TV and additional prizes, a total value of up to $300; second place will receive prizes for a total value of up to $250; third place will receive prizes for a total value of up to $200; and fourth place will receive prizes for a total value of up to $100.
All participants will receive a PAC honor sash and a special name badge at registration. These items must be worn during the conference.
Participants should be prepared to be introduced at various times throughout the Pan African Student Leadership Conference.
Talent celebration participants are required to attend the opening ceremony and reception so they may be introduced. During the conference, special meetings of the contestants will be held. Please be aware of all announcements pertaining to talent celebration participants. Contestants are required to cover expenses while in Mankato, as well as the conference fee and the talent celebration contestant fee.
All participants will receive gifts as a token of our appreciation for student's participation in the talent celebration.
Deadlines to remember: Completed application, photograph, brief vita or biographical sketch must be provided; talent presentation description and $50 contestant fee must be received by January 16, 2009.
Directors or sponsoring agencies should take an active interest in assisting the participant in developing individual potential. All academic institutions and sponsoring agencies will receive a participation award.
Each participant must be in good academic standing on (academic standing: 2.0 on a 4.0 point scale), enrolled in an accredited educational institution and/or sponsored by a community agency. If sponsored by a community agency, the agency is responsible to certify the participant's academic standing.
Two participants are permitted to compete from each institution or agency, usually one male and one female. (Depending on the make-up of the contestant's roster, this rule is subject to modification.) If you have more than two persons interested in participating, consider holding a local ceremony to select your participants.
Directors/sponsors are responsible to prepare selected participants for the talent celebration prior to the event. Make sure the participants schedule time for practice. They should practice the talent portion of the ceremony, the self-introduction and the answering of impromptu questions. Please note the importance of being prepared for these events, as this will be the first time the judges see the participants and the last time the judges see the participants.
Directors/sponsors should make sure all requested information — application, photo, conference fee and contestant fee — is submitted by the deadline.
