Ayobami Shoyinka Is New Mr. Prairie View A&M University

Ayobami Oluwapeluim Shoyinka, a 20 year old junior mechanical engineering student is the new Mr. Prairie ViewA&M University. The pageant, held on April 22 at the university, saw three dynamic and progressive young men vying for the title, along with $3000 in scholarship and prizes and the opportunities for service and travel.

When the competition ended, Ayobami walked away with first place in active sportswear, talent, evening/formal wear and impromptu/onstage question. Winning the pageant is the culmination of months of preparation and training provided by Creative Imagery and Pageant Consulting of America.

Ayobami’s platform, “R.E.B.O.R.N-Reforming Education Based on the overlooked repression in our Nation” is a dynamic program he plans to enact during his term. Ayobami believes that he "can inspire others, particularly the young men, through a variety of positive activities which will provide better opportunities for their future.” The title will give him a broader avenue to implement his platform and make a difference in the lives of the college students.

Ayobami is originally from Ibadan, Nigeria and about 11 years ago, he and his parents moved to Dallas, Texas.  Ayobami is a 2012 graduate of Desoto High School, where he participated in numerous activities, including the Honors program and the Marching Band. He is actively involved on campus as president of the Council of Engineering Organizations, Regional Treasurer, the National Society of Black Engineers, former Secretary for the Sophomore Class Executive Board, an active member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, a member of Prairie View A&M University Honors Program, Recording Secretary, Eta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and a member of B.L.A.C.K (Brothers Leading and Cultivating Knowledge) and the Prairie View A&M University Marching Storm.  An outstanding student, Ayobami has earned the Presidential Scholarship, the Thurgood Marshall-Walmart First Generation Scholarship, and was awarded “Most Outstanding Mechanical Engineer for 2014”. 

He serves as a positive role model for the students at the university and has provided mentorship to high school students through various programs at the university and in the community. In addition to his organizational affiliation, Ayobami finds time to volunteer with various community cleanups and services to his church and the community.

His career goals are to earn the Masters in Engineering and to own a company that provides clean and efficient energy to businesses that need help from major engineering companies for financial investment and research.  To enhance his career skills, Ayobami spent the summers of 2013 and 2014 in a study abroad program in Xian China and program assistant for the College of Engineering Enrichment Institute and as an intern with Sandia National Labs in Albuquerque, New Mexico, respectively.

The Mr. PVAMU Pageant, in its 29th year, is one of the first pageant of its kind for College Men. As Mr. PVAMU, Ayobami has the opportunity to represent the university in the upcoming Mr. Collegiate African American Scholarship Pageant in April 2016. The Mr. Collegiate was started at PVAMU in 1990.

For booking information contact: Rev. Charles H. Lewter, IV at chlewter@pvamu.edu or 936-261-3591.

Mr. NCA&T Wins Mr. H.B.C.U. 2015

James Bowen, II, a senior Industrial & Systems Engineering student and Mr. North Carolina A&T is the new Mr. HBCU. 

James competed in the 11th Annual Mr. HBCU Kings Pageant held at  Lincoln University in Jefferson, Missouri on February 8 which featured Black male students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to include Dillard University, Harris Stowe State University, Prairie View A&M University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Winston Salem State University vying for the title.

James is senior Industrial & Systems Engineering major from Riegelwood, North Carolina and always aspired to be Mr. NCA&T. He began to realize his dream with his selection as Mr. Freshman, and Mr. Junior. With other goals in mind he missed Mr. Sophomore but captured the Mister A&T and now the Mr. HBCU title.  He also serves in various capacities with the Student Government Association  and plans to serve as same role model for younger men as a former Mr. A&T, Jordan Brunson, was for him in his freshman year.

James is committed to bringing excellence and innovation to the position of Mr. A&T
through meaningful programs and community service opportunities.

His future plans include pursuing the masters in Higher Education Administration and
begin a career in Student Life and Development on the campus of a Historically
Black College or University.

As Mr. HBCU, James is expected to implement a platform that will enhance Black men across the nation and to represent the pageant in various activities and events. Along with the title, James receives a $1,500 scholarship and other gifts and prizes from the pageant and its sponsors.

The Mr. HBCU Pageant began in 2004 due to the absence of the Mr. Collegiate African American Scholarship Pageant which ran from 1992 to 1997 in Texas.  The Mr. Collegiate pageant is the first pageant of its kind created for Black men at HBCU's.  However, the founders of the pageant have expanded the pageant to Black men on all college campuses and is not limited to title holders of those colleges.

The 2015 Mr. Collegiate Pageant is set for April 2-5 in Houston and Prairie View.  It is being sponsored in conjunction with a National Conference on Black Males set for April 3-4 at Prairie View A&M University.

For information on Mr. Collegiate 2015, write to: mrcollegiate@yahoo.com.