Juan Diego Catholic High School graduating senior wins 'Miss Africa Utah' Pageant

Friday, Jun. 05, 2015

DRAPER — Tabitha Amani, Juan Diego Catholic High School Class of 2015, is currently in Rwanda visiting refugee camps and orphanages,  a result  of having been crowned as “Miss Africa Utah 2015.”

Miss Africa Utah is a scholarship program for women ages 18-30 who are of African heritage. The pageant is meant to promote and provide education about  various African cultures.

“For a long time I was embarrassed of being African; the pageant appeared to be a great way for me build confidence in who I am,” said Amani.

The experience was amazing, exceeding all her expectations, she said.

“Participating in the pageant work was a catalyst in my self-efficacy  and my drive in learning not only about my own heritage but the different cultures within Africa,” said Amani, adding that she made lifetime friends and the pageant opened her eyes to some prejudices that she held, but quickly discarded. 

Born in Kinshasa Congo, during the Second Congo War, Tabitha has seven brothers. She and her family arrived in the United States in 2000. She learned about the contest when she was 16 years old. 

“I first heard about the pageant when a family friend of mine did it two years ago. I always wanted to do pageants but often shied away. Initially the glam drew my interest; as I did further research and learned what the pageant stood for (embracing the African heritage and educating the world on the beauty of Africa) I was more than set on participating,” said Amani.

She represented Congo Brazaville among the more than 45 countries represented at the pageant. She was the youngest of the contestants.

“Winning was very surreal. I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “The only thing that went through my head was ‘whoa.’ It was actually unbelievably humbling. Competing amongst such intellectual, talented and beautiful women, I was so honored to even be in the top five.”

Once her sense of shock passed, she felt incredibly thankful.

“Thinking of all the help I had received before, during and after the pageant, I knew if not for all my family and friends with all their love, support and last-minute wardrobe fixes I would not have been able to stand up there,” said Amani.

Now that she has graduated from Juan Diego Catholic High School with  honors, Amani will continue her education this fall at Westminster College.

“I plan to study international business with a minor in political science,” said Amani, who, because of her title, also will promote her pageant platform of “Ending the ‘School-to-Prison Pipeline.’”

In the meantime, while  in Rwanda she will continue visiting refugee camps and orphanages.

When she returns to the United States, she will be working with GK Folks Foundation,which organized the pageant, and the United African Women of Hope, an organization dedicated to helping African refugees, “to set up community discussion and family workshops. Apart from the school aspect of the school-to-prison pipeline, I know that learning truly begins at home,” said Amani, who also hopes that one day she’ll be able to help immigrant and refugee families build a strong foundation at home.

“My dream ultimately is to someday become an international lawyer, perhaps even a diplomat. I figured money is a strong force when it comes to government, so I want to get my bachelor’s in business then move on to law school,” said Amani.