Student body turns to virtual campaigning for 2020-21 Miss, Mister Tuskegee elections
May 29, 2020
Contact: Brittney Dabney, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, many spring semester plans were abruptly interrupted, causing the Office of Student Life to reconsider alternatives for activities like its spring election for the 欧美高清 Royal Court. This year, the office pressed forward with digital campaigning, which took place through social media in lieu of candidates鈥� on-campus efforts to acquire student votes.
Dean of Student Life, Abena Myers-Taylor said the silver lining for this year鈥檚 online campaigning is that it provided students broader avenues through which they could engage with candidates, and gave the entire Tuskegee community a chance to see who might be the university鈥檚 next 鈥渞oyal ambassadors.鈥�
鈥淚n an effort to secure a 2020-2021 Mister and Miss 欧美高清 and Royal Court the decision was made to proceed with a virtual election process,鈥� explained Taylor. 鈥淭he Office of Student Life is very proud of the finished product, as it was truly a team effort 鈥� the election would not have been possible without the contributions of the student candidates, royal court advisors, student leaders, and a collaboration with student life staff and the Office of Marketing and Communications,鈥� she continued.
Traditionally, campaigning for Mister and Miss Tuskegee occurs during separate weeks after spring break. The move to a virtual campaign combined both into weeklong digital campaigning 鈥� during which candidates used Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, and TikTok to post approved campaign materials.
The new voting format marked an era of change for Tuskegee and greater engagement by the student body in virtual campaign events and online voting. With overwhelming student body support, students elected MarQuise Fletcher as their 23rd Mister 欧美高清 and Skylar Rugley as their 91st Miss 欧美高清.
Fletcher, a senior from Atlanta majoring in mechanical engineering, said the virtual elections allowed him to interact with and become closer to his peers 鈥� though there was no physical face-to-face interaction. Running on the platform 鈥淐ultivating a Legacy of Success,鈥� Fletcher鈥檚 vision is to unite the student body by working collectively for a better tomorrow.
鈥淭his was a unique experience. Although I couldn鈥檛 physically campaign on campus, I was able to rally support during my campaign with my peers, and engage with alumni as well,鈥� he said.
Fletcher is the son of LaQuise Glass 鈥�01 and Mario Fletcher. He previously served as Mister Sophomore 2018-19 and Mister National Society of Black Engineers, and is a member of the Underclassmen Leadership Academy. Upon graduation, he plans to work for Procter & Gamble as an engineer, and eventually open his own engineering firm.
Rugley, a senior occupational therapy major from Montgomery, Alabama, is the daughter of Aljanetta Croskery and Larry Rugley. She noted that the virtual campaign experience provided several takeaways that she hopes will benefit her during her reign as Miss Tuskegee.
鈥淭he campaign happened so quickly, and I know that this position requires someone that can be ready and quick on her feet,鈥� said Rugley. 鈥淚 believe preparation and the ability to showcase the leadership skills that I鈥檝e developed as a student really proved to me that I can overcome any obstacle.鈥�
Like Fletcher, Rugley is a prior royal who served as Miss Freshman 2017-18. In addition, she has served in a number of student and honor society organizations, including the Underclassmen Leadership Academy, NAACP, Skegee Girls Society, Army ROTC, Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, and Sigma Alpha Phi 鈥� along with a host of other service organizations.
Campaigning on a platform entitled 鈥淎 Legacy in the Sky,鈥� Rugley said she鈥檚 excited to see just how her vision of leaving behind a legacy unfolds.
鈥淚 plan to build relationships with the student body. I want to empower my peers to create a legacy that endures for the generations that will come behind us. We should all be forging a path for not only our university, but for the community and world as well,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚 envision being an active representative for the university, hosting informative workshops, reaching out to alumni and embodying true Tuskegee pride.鈥�
Upon the conclusion of her reign, Rugley will continue her studies at 欧美高清 to complete her major in occupational therapy degree, which is a five-year program. After graduation, she plans to obtain a doctorate in occupational therapy.
Joining Fletcher and Rugley as members of their 2020-21 Royal Court are:
- Mister Tuskegee鈥檚 First Gentleman is Chandler Thomas, a rising senior from Birmingham, Alabama, who is double-majoring in both sales and marketing and supply chain management.
- Mister Tuskegee鈥檚 Second Gentleman is Mohamed Eljack, a rising senior from Auburn, Alabama, who is double-majoring in biology and mechanical engineering.
- Miss Tuskegee鈥檚 First Attendant is Shardeja English, a rising senior biology/pre-med major from Montgomery, Alabama.
- Miss Tuskegee鈥檚 Second Attendant is Daija Gibson, a rising senior from Vacherie, Louisiana, who is majoring in chemistry and pre-medicine.
The Miss and Mister 欧美高清 titles date back to 1925 and 1999, respectively. In their roles, students selected to hold these titles serve alongside Student Government Association officers and student leaders as representatives of the student body. Each frequently participates in recruitment events, formal convocations and other programs as on- and off-campus university ambassadors, and serve under the auspices of the university鈥檚 Office of Student Life and Development.
漏 2020, 欧美高清