Crowning Excellence: TSU Names 2024-25 Mister and Miss RLH

By: Jayhlin Rodgers

The glaring lights of Texas Southern University’s dressing rooms shined brightly on the 2024-25 Mister and Miss Residential Life and Housing (RLH) pageant.

“Yeah, the lighting in here is great,” said an excited Artist Tyson, a junior political science major and newly crowned Mister RLH.

This was Tyson’s first time competing in a pageant, and his first time winning first place.

“What made me want to compete in this pageant was my mother. She sent me an email and said she felt like this would give me the opportunity to showcase my talents,” Tyson said. “I took her up on that.”

Artist Tyson, TSU Junior

Tyson was one of 16 contestants in the RLH Pageant, hosted in the Sawyer Auditorium.

With hopes of becoming the next Mister and Miss RLH, contestants showcased their school spirit, style, and talents.

With five dynamic judges and an interactive crowd, the contestants overcame their worries about what could go wrong and surprised even themselves.

“Something that surprised me … I was a little nervous about the dress I chose, but it seems to be a winner, so I’m proud of that,” said Tianni Kitrell, a junior psychology major and winner of the evening wear portion.

Tianna Kitrell, TSU Junior

Kitrell’s purple dress glistened on the stage and caught the eye of the judges during the evening wear portion.

With four sections — campus wear, talent, evening wear, and Q&A — contestants, who had much to prove, stepped out of their comfort zones to show who they were.

“I wanted to do something that helped me step out of my box,” said Raemi Gonzalez, a freshman administration of justice major said. “I’m not a very outgoing person, but I wanted to put myself in a position of leadership.”

Raemi Gonzalez, TSU Freshman

The role of Mister and Miss RLH is designed by the RLH department to have students represent their classmates by providing safe, clean, well-maintained residential communities through various educational and social programming opportunities for student growth and development.

Tyson was joined by freshman biology major Gabrielle Lamyssare in becoming the 2024-25 Mister and Miss RLH.

As Lamyssare stood proud in her peach evening gown, she reflected on how excited she was to have won the title.

“I’m so proud of myself. I like to put a lot of faith in myself and my abilities, and again, it’s just another testament that I can do it,” Lamyssare said. “You can do it. Put your mind to it, Gabby, you can do it.”

Gabrielle Lamyssare, TSU Freshman

Lamyssare dedicated hours of practice in preparation for this pageant and as an out-of-state student from Baltimore, Maryland, said she felt she had something to prove.

“I didn’t just come here for no reason. I wanted to make a difference,” Lamyssare said. “I don’t want to be just another face. I want to put myself out there.”

Each contestant put their best effort into showcasing different parts of themselves that they might not have been used to sharing with their friends, family, and a crowd of unknown people.

From poetic words pulling on the crowd’s heartstrings to eye-catching looks, this pageant not only produced the new 2024-25 Mister and Miss RLH but also united students in bringing forth change.