WTOL.com, Toledo's News Leader, News 11 | Pageant winner makes history at historically black university
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HAMPTON, Virginia (CBS) - A young woman made history at a Virginia University Wednesday night by becoming the first biracial pageant winner at a historically black university.
Nikole Churchill was coronated as Hampton University's new homecoming queen, becoming the first half-white, half-asian winner.
"As soon as she was announced the winner, you could hear seats closing, and people booing," said Hampton University Junior Ashley Sowell.
Some on campus and many more on the internet made an issue of Churchill representing the school.
"You expect to see those types of roles, your representatives... let's be honest, I want to be represented by someone who looks like me," said Hampton University Junior Sade Scott.
Most Hampton students say they now support their new homecoming queen, that she represents the growing diversity of the school. But the story took on a life of its own when the new queen wrote a letter to President Obama.
Playing on her Hawaiian-hometown roots, Churchill greeted the President with an Aloha, writing, the true reason for the disapproval was because of the color of her skin.
She asked President Obama to come speak at the school. The White House didn't respond, but the letter sparked outcries of reverse-racism.
"A lot of students did take it to heart when they heard people calling them reverse-racists, hate mongers, or bigots. It was hurtful," said a university senior.
The University says the controversy is overblown. Officials say Nikole Churchill has the full support of the university. She got a standing ovation at Wednesday night's coronation, and says she'll serve proudly.
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