Salea Lawson is a true gem to the West Chester University (WCU) community, whether it’s being the historian for the Black Student Union (BSU), the First Gen Rams president, staying sharp with her dance skills or focusing on her education as a marketing major. On Nov. 1, Lawson’s true talent, charisma, brain and beauty shone bright on the Miss Black and Gold stage. She is rightfully deserving of the title of your new Miss Gold. We caught up with Lawson to see how she was feeling after the pageant:
You are the new Miss Gold! How does it feel?
It is a great feeling; I am beyond proud and excited to stand alongside the royal court and previous Miss Golds to continue to uphold the legacy of excellence and integrity.
How did you feel when you heard your name being called?
Honestly, I was extremely excited and overwhelmed with joy, but mostly I was proud. There was a lot of hard work and dedication that went into my performances that day, and knowing the hard work paid off was a great feeling.
What was your favorite performance that you did at the show, and why?
My talent was my favorite performance. I choreographed it myself along with some help from our choreographer, Deyona. And my costume was made by my friend Saniyah Young-Graham. Behind the scenes, there were many pieces that went into my talent. Finishing the performance, I was overwhelmed with emotion and excitement, because my main goal was to do well in my talent, and I did!
Now that it’s over, what’s something about yourself that you carried into the pageant that you think propelled you to ultimately get through it?
Going into the pageant, the only thing I had at the time was my past six years of performance experience and my optimism. I noticed a simple smile or joke would brighten my day and everyone’s day too. Initially, that was all I needed, but throughout the process, I found myself getting closer to God because I was surrounded by a good representation of what Christianity truly is. By pageant day, God is what got me through, praying backstage before the show and thanking God after.
What are your goals for the coming year as the new Miss Gold?
My new upcoming goals are to support the current royal court and provide any kind of assistance to Miss Black and Gold as she stands on her platform. Alongside that, I would like to participate in community service and engagement events to give back to my community and the community at WCU.
What does being Miss Gold mean to you on a personal level?
Miss Gold forced me out of my comfort zone and into the spotlight. Typically, I am extremely outgoing and confident with new people and activities, but during this process, I was a tad shyer and more in my head than usual. I found myself feeling a sense of doubt and second-guessing my abilities, but I leaned on my community, pageant sisters and God to help overcome those feelings. On a personal level, Miss Gold helped me understand that limiting yourself because of fear or doubt will get you nowhere.
Can you share a memorable moment from the pageant that stood out to you?
During my talent, there is a specific part where there’s a blackout, and there’s a spotlight on me… I could feel the excitement from the crowd as I continued my choreography, and I heard people singing and screaming the song. That moment was the best moment; it felt amazing hearing everyone’s reaction to every move, and having that support was undoubtedly the most memorable moment.
What advice would you give to others who are considering competing in pageants or pursuing their own dreams?
If you are thinking about participating in a pageant, so is it. It is a process that will challenge you as an individual and cause you to learn more about yourself, truly. You may discover new values and goals in life or even a hidden talent you never tapped into. I will say it is a challenging process. To do a pageant is something that seems “easy,” but there are many different aspects of pageantry that go unnoticed, like practicing during off days, the budgeting, etc. In regard to pursuing your dreams, you are your best friend and biggest enemy. Please do not allow doubt, fear or other negative emotions to keep you from your dreams.
What’s a fun fact or thing we didn’t see from the pageant that the audience doesn’t know?
I would have to say… I can sing. I grew up in a musically inclined family and was exposed to singing and playing instruments at a young age, so I would run around the house singing songs, and now it’s something I genuinely enjoy doing in my free time.
Now that the Miss Black and Gold pageant is over, what are some ways you’re decompressing from all of it?
Spending time with the people I love and enjoy is helping me decompress. During the process, I practiced outside of our designated practice days, leaving little time for my friends. Now that I have the time, they are the ones I spend my time with.
What legacy do you hope to leave as Miss Gold?
As Miss Gold, I would love to leave a legacy that emphasizes the importance of change. Many people struggle with the concept of their lives changing, but if change is not occurring, you will not grow; you will be stagnant. Do not allow fear to guide your life because a life guided by fear is not the goal. Take opportunities that induce change and grow along the way.
What’s some other personal goals and things you have in store for the rest of the year or semester?
I want the rest of my year to be filled with fun. Spending time with my friends, laughing at random inside jokes or videos, taking time to myself to decompress and have self-care days and grow my newly formed relationship with God.
We here at NABJ are so proud of Lawson and are in awe of her talent and grace on that stage. We can’t wait to see what she does with the rest of her time here at WCU.