EUGENE, Ore. -- (March 5, 2010) - A University of Oregon graduate student has been named Miss Black Oregon USA 2010. Kari Herinckx will represent the state at the national Miss Black USA Scholarship Pageant in Washington, D.C., this summer, competing for a $10,000 scholarship.
Herinckx is a 2009 UO graduate of the Family and Human Services program. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in ethnic studies. She is currently a graduate student at the College of Education, studying teacher education with an emphasis on curriculum and instruction.
"Kari has done a wonderful job representing the University of Oregon," said UO President Richard W. Lariviere. "I am proud of her academic success and commitment to community service. It's wonderful that she'll represent Oregon at the national scholarship pageant."
Through various positions, Herinckx led a number of campaigns around issues of social justice at the university, and works for the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity and the Service Learning Program. She held leadership positions at UO including vice president of the Black Student Union, co-director of the Multicultural Center and multicultural advocate for the Associated Students of the University of Oregon. In the future, she hopes to teach social studies in a middle school or high school before continuing a career in education policy.
Herinckx's platform for the competition addresses the academic achievement gap and the necessity for schools and educators to prioritize teaching culturally relevant meaningful pedagogies to students.
"I believe education is our greatest tool for advancement and improving equity in this country," said Herinckx. "We must prioritize our youth to be active and conscious citizens, while instilling the values and diligence of those who came before us."
Herinckx describes the win as a celebration of identity and community, and emphasizes that Miss Black Oregon is a service based, grassroots organization and not a beauty pageant. Miss Black U.S.A. Pageant celebrates scholastic achievement and promotes education and leadership by providing scholarships opportunities to young women of color.
"The Crowning Event" was Feb. 28 in Portland. Delegates competed in five categories: personal interview, health & fitness, talent, evening gown and a question/answer segment.
About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of the 62 leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.
Contact: Julie Brown, 541-346-3185, julbrown@uoregon.edu
Link: www.missblackoregon.org
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