Jackson State University senior physics major Arekia S. Bennett is the reigning Miss Black Mississippi Coed 2014. Bennett, who anticipates graduating in May 2015, has engaged in a number of activities at Jackson State including serving as Miss Sophomore, 2012-2013 and in 2013-2014 functioning as executive parliamentarian for the SGA; parliamentarian for the Residential Hall Association; and vice president of the Women’s Council of Philanthropy. She is also member of the Student Health Advisory Council and SPECTRUM, a gay-straight student alliance.
Bennett was named “Innovator of the Year” by the campus chapter of the NAACP and Outstanding Female Member by the Jackson State SGA in 2014.
“One thing we learn in physics is that limits don’s exist. We have to believe that there are no limits to what we can achieve.” Bennett said.
In her role as Miss Black Mississippi Coed 2014 Bennett promotes her platform, “Project REAL” — Reaching for Excellence in Academics and Leadership. She has organized and conducted workshops in her hometown of Tylertown, Mississippi, for girls in grades 8-12. A featured activity in the workshops is guiding the young women through the process of creating a “vision board.”
“This is the age where girls get sidetracked by harmful images in the media that promote negative behavior, Bennett said.
By helping them to envision a future that includes academic achievement, community service and positive goals. I am implementing my platform of promoting self-confidence and setting high standards for yourself,” she added.
Bennett is preparing to represent Mississippi on the national stage at the Miss Black America Coed Pageant, November 28-29, 2014 in Houston, Texas. She will compete for a $10,000 scholarship prize and be judged in the categories of community service, private interview, fitness, evening gown, photogenic, queen behavior, and on-stage question. Bennett hopes to use the prize money to help pay for law school following her graduation from Jackson State.
The youngest of five siblings, she is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Evans and is a third generation Jacksonian.