One child recited a chapter from 1 Corinthians. Another drummed to an R. Kelly song. One played the violin. Another performed a belly dance. And one recited a poem.

They were asked what they wanted to be when they grow up. Who they admire most. What their facorite subject is. And what kind of fruit they would compare themselves to.

They were the nine elementary school contestants in the Little Miss and Little Mister NCCU contest held last Sunday in the New School of Education Auditorium.

The students were judged on their fundraising ability, appearance, personality, creativity, youthfulness, stage presence, style and modeling potential.

All contestants raised money to support Miss NCCU projects, including a women's empowerment project and the Queen's retreat.

Little Miss Maya Danielle Bryant, daughter of Cora Bryant, raised $1,800. Maya is a 3rd grader at Club Boulevard Elementary School.

"That's my baby," said Cora Bryant, Maya's mother.

"I almost cried...when she said the person she admired most was her mom. Because after her father passed away, I took care of her and her brother."

Six-year-old Naszir ForteFerguson, son of Mina Forte and Neil Ferguson, drummed to R.Kelly's "The World's Greatest."Naszir raised $1,300. Naszir is a first grader at Pearson Town Elementary School.

"I felt all the children were exceptional and represented the strong future we have as African Americans,"said Covey Mclinnaham, event adviser and choreographer.

All the parents should be proud because they all are winners.

The little Miss and Mister NCCU pageant was sponsored by the Miss NCCU and her court.

Minnie Forte and Alfredia Collins, both instructors in the department of English advise Miss NCCU and her court.

Collins asked that Yasmeen Mahmood also be recognized as a 3rd place winner for the sponsorship award.