The time I took part in a Beauty Paegant

Hey Guys! 

So I mentioned in this post that I was going to tell you about a little something called FOA. It was a beauty pageant that was organised by the Africultural society of my university. Today marks exactly 4 years since I took part in this competition while in my first year of Uni.

Those of you who schooled in the UK or who know a bit about societies in UK universities will be wondering if I meant Afro Caribbean Society, No, I mean Africultural. Taking part in this paegant was me stepping boldly out of my comfort zone. As you can see from the pictures below, I wore converses and I was the only one that didn't wear a tank top.

The pictures look like they were shot in warm weather but looks can be deceiving o. It was COLD, with a Capital C, I had 2 jackets that day and I probably dressed that way for practical reasons too. The Afro Kinky look was my signature look back in Uni. I'm experimenting with weaves, wigs and more adventurous looks now :)

The first three pictures were taken by Toyosi Faridah Kekere-Ekun, who was a student at Nottingham at the time. She is one person who is following her dreams, she is an amazing photographer and has improved her skills in many ways since then. Check out her website, tumblr and pictures from her first exhibition which held last year.

Step by step pictures of the make up being done by Nonnie and Saida :) I had no Make up knowledge at this point in my lifetime. I actually bought my first Mac studio fix powder for this competition.

My campus was really beautiful but I didn't properly appreciate it until I left. I didn't go on a boat ride on that lake until the day of my last exam as a student.  Reminder for you to take advantage of every opportunity you have.

How Chubby does my face look, choi, Food o!

Interesting fact, 7 of the 10 contestants went to the same Secondary School but not everyone stayed for 6 years. Four of us have blogs now, Camille blogs at Paris5thAve, Oyime at Oyime's Musings, Feyi at The Modish Method and I blog at Tuke's Quest.

The competition involved 3 stages, a group dance then talent display then questions were asked to the final 4 and the judges collated the scores.

With the MC for the day, Ayo. He's actually been featured on the blog before in this post.

Happy Days

He was shocked because people were clapping too much. I had a lot of support from my Nottingham folk and my Lagoon friends who came from other cities

This was the first time I played  the Sax solo to a crowd of people. Oh, boy, I was nervous, my friends, Oguan (Keyboardist) and Dami (Saxophonist) prepped me for the day sha. 

I played Igwe by Midnight crew. Song selection can be tough o but I'm glad the crowd enjoyed it

The final 4, can you spot Feyi of The Modish Method

The Final 2

Let me tell you guy's about Ify, she was my flatmate in my 2nd and 3rd year and we were at the same accommodation in first year, but different blocks. Now, I suggested that she take part in the contest, because, why not? It was going to be a fun experience, doing something different with friends. Like I mentioned earlier, 7 of the 10 contestants went to the same secondary school.

So, weeks before the contest, Ify will call me and Oguan saying it's all my fault, I made her do this, she doesn't have a talent, bla bla bla, a lot of whining. She was actually going to do a comedy skit , something about Panadol extra, Thank God she didn't sha, she just danced a cultural dance and she did it very well.

Ify was so shocked when she won

That Night, this girl didn't sleep. I had 6 friends who had come from out of town so my room was packed and we were all bonding and gisting but Ify didn't sleep o. She kept on saying I can't believe I won, I can't believe I won, over and over and over again. I'm really glad she did, because that was how the name FOA became associated with her, it became her idenity.

Hope you enjoyed this throwback post, it was a really interesting experience and I'm glad I stepped out of my comfort zone to take part in it. You can view the full album here.

Did you do take part in any activity while in school that took you out of your comfort zone?

Have you done anything recently that took you out of your comfort zone?

Tell me how it went and what you learnt.