2024-25 Mister and Miss Saint Augustine’s University Crowned At Annual Coronation

RALEIGH, NC – In a night of pageantry and tradition, Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) held its annual coronation for Mister and Miss SAU on Thursday, Oct. 24, in the Julia Chester Emery Gymnasium. This year’s theme, “Enchanted Nights: Into the Woods,” set a magical stage as the SAU community, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and family, gathered to celebrate the official transition of the Royal Court.

The evening opened with a regal skit featuring the Royal Court in elaborate costumes against a palace-themed backdrop. Outgoing Mister and Miss SAU, Ashley Weekes and Louis Keenan Lowndes, gave their farewell remarks, marking the transition to the new Royal Court. Presiding over the ceremony, Student Government Association President Kristoff Strachan acknowledged the event’s supporters before introducing the new members of the Royal Court. Each member strolled down the red carpet as their personal statements echoed through the gymnasium.

The ceremony’s highlight was the entrance of the 74th Miss SAU, Noah Alina Wheeler, and the 11th Mister SAU, Jaden Desean Hambric. Interim President Dr. Marcus H. Burgess, assisted by Dr. Cindy Love, Associate Vice President of Student Engagement and Support Services, placed the crowns and sashes on Wheeler and Hambric. Addressing the new royals, Dr. Burgess charged them with their roles: “You are now ambassadors of our great institution… Lead with purpose, serve with humility, embody excellence, uphold our tradition, and inspire and unify. This is your moment.”

The ceremony included other SAU traditions such as the Royal Salute, Royal Walk, and Royal Waltz. The new Miss SAU, Wheeler, shared words of reflection: “What you think, you become. What you feel, you attract. And what you imagine, you create.” Mister SAU, Hambric, added, “Be thankful for your situation, not your circumstances. We are certainly thankful for our situation here.” The night concluded with a reception, celebrating the new Royal Court and their shared vision for SAU’s future.

2024-25 SAU Royal Court Members:

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  Miss Freshman: Shaniyah Scott, Raleigh, NC, Business Administration Quote: “Believe in yourself, and there will come a day when others will have no choice but to believe in you.” – Mufasa

• Miss Sophomore: Da’Jha Williams, Trenton, NJ, Business Administration
  Quote: “Maybe by imagining these futures, we can make them real, and maybe not, but either way, we must imagine them.” – John Green
• Miss Junior: Teja-Aaliyah Williams, Nassau, The Bahamas, Psychology
  Quote: “You never have to ask anyone’s permission to lead. Remember that.” – Kamala Harris
• Miss Senior: J’Niyah Talia Love, San Francisco, CA, Criminal Justice
  Quote: “If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” – Maya Angelou

The coronation was made possible by SAU alumni, including the National Alumni Association, alumni-owned businesses Hot 97.9 FM and Jordan Esteem Photography, and contributions from individual alumni donors and chapters nationwide.

Click here to watch the ceremony recording, read the Coronation Program with a complete listing of sponsors, and view the photo gallery.

Photos: Courtesy of Jordan Esteem Photography.