The Kappa Kappa chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. cordially invites U of A students to attend the annual Miss Black & Gold Scholarship Pageant, which starts at 7:06 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, in the Arkansas Union Verizon Ballroom. This year's theme for the pageant is Hollywood: Written in the Stars.

This event is open to U of A students. All students who present a valid university ID will receive free admission into the event.

The Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Competition is an event whose primary purpose is to highlight and foster the inextricable connection between success and etiquette amongst young women. This pageant spotlights the young women's poise, self-confidence, communication skills, intelligence and beauty. In all, the Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Competition encompasses true womanhood, success and confidence. Academic excellence and scholarship are greatly stressed in the competition with the fraternity providing the contestants with scholarships to assist with the financial obligations associated with postsecondary studies.

The men of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. host the Miss Black and Gold Scholarship Pageant each year. This is a national mandated and required program under the sponsorship of Alpha Phi Alpha and all the fraternity's undergraduate chapters. It is an outgrowth of the long tradition of Alpha Chapters designating outstanding young ladies to serve as "Chapter Sweethearts." The fraternity recognizes the valuable support rendered to it by the many friends of Alpha Phi Alpha and these endeavors serve as one mechanism to applaud such support.

This year's theme is Hollywood: Written in the Stars, which means each of the contestants have been predestined for greatness, success and for a golden opportunity such as this. We believe that each of the contestants possesses confidence, elegance, beauty and poise, and they are all truly superstars in our eyes, and we hope that they will impress you with their gifts, talents and attributes, both individually and collectively.

This event is supported by the Student Activities Fee as a funded event by the Associated Student Government and is free to all currently enrolled University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, students who pay the student activities fee. For questions about the event or for accommodations due to disability, please contact Jarron Gray, jng006@uark.edu, (501) 749-7122.