Contact:
Regina Boone
Development and Public Relations
919-546-8269
For Immediate Release



Miss Shaw University Competes for CIAA Title
Raleigh, NC – February 23, 2004 – Shaw University Senior Shatima Seward will have a chance to dazzle the world with her brilliance as she represents Shaw University in the inaugural Miss CIAA contest. However, she cannot compete effectively without your vote! So go to www.ciaa2004.com to cast your ballot for Shatima.

Miss Seward, who is the reining Miss Shaw University, will compete against queens from 11 other colleges and universities in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Conference, the Nation’s oldest Black athletic conference. The CIAA recently established the Miss CIAA competition in hopes of finding one queen who has “outstanding class, intelligence, style, and school spirit.”

A native of Dolphin, VA, Seward is a Chemistry major who is also an active member of the Alpha Rho Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She will be competing against queens from Bowie State, Elizabeth City State, Fayetteville State, Johnson C. Smith, North Carolina Central, Virginia State, Virginia Union and Winston Salem State Universities as well as Livingstone College, St. Paul’s College and St. Augustine’s College. The winner is chosen by a combination of criteria: demonstration of academic excellence, a personal essay and the most number of online votes at www.ciaa2004.com. Voting is open to the public and ends Thursday, Feb. 26.

Miss CIAA 2004 will be announced Saturday, Feb. 28th, during “Super Saturday” at the CIAA Tournament at the RBC Center in Raleigh, which began February 23rd. The winner will win a $2,500 Scholarship donated to her institution in her name.