As part of our weeklong Juneteenth Celebration, FIU will be hosting the third annual Nova Star Juneteenth Scholarship Competition Show on June 12, 2024, at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus (MMC).
This competition showcases FIU’s Nova Court: students who exemplify leadership qualities, self-confidence, and a commitment to their FIU community and beyond. The contest awards over $8,250 in scholarships to the contestants, including $3,000 to the top winner. Contestants compete in categories such as FIU spirit, talent, Q & A session, and a short speech on an issue they are passionate about.
2023 Competition Show Winners: Amelia Hinds, Chandler Jules, & Maikaia Speights
2023 Talent Category: CPR Demonstration
2022 Competition Show Winners: Teddisha Mackey, Cailyn Collins, & Jazmin Johnson
2023 Talent Category: Trombone
2023 Talent Category: Spoken Word Presentation
2022 & 2023 Competition Show Winners
2023 Talent Category: Spoken Word Presentation
2023 Talent Category: FIU Music
While competing in Nova Star, I never felt as though I needed to put up a façade or hide who I was to succeed or build relationships with other contestants. It was a great experience, and I would recommend it to anyone. You'll learn a lot, both about yourself and others.Cailyn Collins, Ambassador of Unity 2022
- 2023 Nova Star Juneteenth Recap
As part of our weeklong Juneteenth Celebration, FIU hosted the second annual Nova Star Juneteenth Scholarship Competition Show on June 10, 2023, at the Biscayne Bay Campus (BBC).
This competition showcased FIU’s Nova Court: students who exemplify leadership qualities, self-confidence, and a commitment to their FIU community and beyond. The contest awarded over $7,500 in scholarships to the contestants, including $3,000 to the top winner. Contestants competed in categories such as FIU spirit, talent, Q & A session, and a short speech on an issue they are passionate about.
Watch the 2023 Competition Show!
This inclusive all-genders competition showcased FIU’s Nova Court: students who exemplify leadership qualities, self-confidence, and a commitment to their FIU community and beyond. The contest awarded over $7,500 in scholarships to the contestants
Meet the 2023 Contestants
Contestant #1: Amelia Hinds, International Business Management, First-Year Student
Contestant #2: Athena Scarlett, Computer Science, Third-Year Student
Contestant #3: Shania Sylvain, Psychology and Natural Applied Sciences, Second-Year Student
Contestant #4: Dior Crooks, Architecture, Second-Year Student
Contestant #5: Maikaia Speights, Nursing, Third-Year Student
Contestant #6: Chandler Jules, Creative Writing, Fourth-Year Student
2023 Winners and Highlights
First Place (Nova Star Ambassador): Contestant #1 - Amelia Hinds, International Business Management, First-Year Student
Second Place (Ambassador of Justice): Contestant #6 - Chandler Jules, Creative Writing, Fourth-Year Student
Third Place (Ambassador of Unity): Contestant #5 - Maikaia Speights, Nursing, Third-Year Student
2023 Competition Show Winners Amelia Hinds, Chandler Jules, & Maikaia Speights
2023 Competition Contestants & Winners
2022 & 2023 Competition Winners
Thank You to Our 2023 Sponsors
- 2022 Nova Star Juneteenth RecapThe inaugural Nova Star Scholarship Pageant was a tremendous success. The six contestants truly exemplified leadership, school spirit, and a commitment to their FIU community. Over $5,000 in scholarships were awarded to the winners and contestants.
Meet the 2022 Nova Star Court
FIU's first-ever Nova Star Scholarship Pageant winners, Teddisha Mackey, Cailyn Collins, and Jazmin Johnson share their plans for the semester, motivations for participating in the pageant, and advice for future competitors.
Meet Our 2022 Contestants
Available on Demand
Nova Star Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant
Thank You to Our 2022 Sponsors
Pageant Highlights
Pageant Contestants
Nova Star Pageant Court
Teddisha Mackay, Nova Star Ambassador
Jazmin Johnson, Ambassador of Justice
Cailyn Collins, Ambassador of Unity