Community involvement, academic excellence and outstanding leadership are what earned University graduate student Kari Herinckx the title of Miss Black Oregon
USA 2010.
Along with her year-long reign as Miss Black Oregon, Herinckx will represent the state of Oregon and compete for a $10,000 scholarship at the national Miss Black USA Scholarship Pageant in Washington, D.C., this summer.
Now a graduate student in the College of Education, Herinckx graduated from the University in 2009 with a degree in family and human services and ethnic studies. After school, Herinckx said she hopes to inspire today’s youth by improving education.
When Herinckx first heard about Miss Black Oregon, she had minimal interest in being a candidate in the pageant. However, what intrigued Herinckx was that Miss Black Oregon was much more than a title, sash and crown — it was about representing African-American women and being a positive role model.
“I personally became interested when I found out that Miss Black Oregon was not a beauty pageant, but a service-based organization to empower young African-American women,” Herinckx said. “Being an education grad student, I wanted to pursue my interests in health, education and community outreach.”
Miss Black Oregon State Director Veronica Alberti said the main idea of the pageant was to select an individual who promoted perseverance and personal development.
“One goal of the competition is to show cultural pride, but most importantly glamorize intelligence,” Alberti said. “We believe education is the key to lifelong success.”
During her year as Miss Black Oregon, Herinckx will develop her platform and goals, all of which are set to improve education.
With a specific focus on kindergarten through 12th grade education, Herinckx hopes to be a role model and represent the underprivileged youth of today.
“It is really easy to be put in a position where you feel like getting an education, going to college or having a career is not within your reach,” Herinckx said. “Young people can only do their best; you don’t have to go to college, but always put your best foot forward and remember to help the next generation.”
Herinckx said her time as an undergraduate at the University has helped shape her personal and career goals today. She held leadership positions at the University, such as Black Student Union vice president, Multicultural Center co-director and ASUO multicultural advocate. Through her academic and service background, Herinckx said she has learned many things that she will incorporate into her Miss Black Oregon platform.
“My academics have taught me to be politically minded and civically engaged,” Herinckx said. “There should be no selfish acts. You should always have others in mind.”
University President Richard Lariviere is honored that someone as involved as Kari will be representing Oregon at the national pageant
“Kari has done a wonderful job representing the University of Oregon,” Lariviere said in a statement. “I am proud of her academic success and commitment to community service. It’s wonderful that she’ll represent Oregon at the national scholarship pageant.”
Although Herinckx has only held the title of Miss Black Oregon for one week, she has already begun her preparation for the national Miss Black USA Scholarship Pageant.
Herinckx said when she gets thrown in the mix with 49 other very talented and competitive women, she plans to stay confident.
“I will bring my own skill set and really hone in on my leadership and community service experience,” Herinckx said. “I try to not just talk the talk, but really practice what I preach.”
Alberti said Herinckx is a fitting Miss Black Oregon 2010 because of her dedication to her work and what she believes in.
“She has all the right ingredients and everything going for her,” Alberti said. “Kari is an exceptional young woman with an outstanding amount of accomplishments for her
young age.”

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