The 2026 Mister & Miss Hampton University Scholarship Pageants
The King and Queen of Hearts, a theme inspired by Alice in Wonderland and the iconic Queen of Hearts, reimagined through elegance, class, and purpose.
All images were shot by:
Kris Anderson (@iKrisAnderson & @theupnextexperience) via Instagram
This theme transformed Wonderland into a royal court where grace, confidence, and leadership take center stage. The King and Queen of Hearts represent students who lead with heart, carry themselves with intention, and understand that true royalty is rooted in character, service, and scholarship.
Rich symbolism such as deep blue tones, playing card elements, and regal details reflects tradition, power, and poise. Every aspect of the pageant is designed to highlight timeless sophistication while honoring the individuality and excellence of Hampton’s students.
The 2026 Mister & Miss Hampton University Scholarship Pageant Video Promotion
Directed by: Naaja Flowers and Ahmere Harper
Shot by: HamptonU Student Film Organization; Kodjo Richardson (@kodjo.made.that) and Arthur Greene
All music used in this project is for educational and portfolio purposes only. I do not claim ownership of the audio content.
Ending off my senior year as a director has taught me a lot about strategy.
Here are some of the things I’ve learned during directing this media campaign:
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Increase visibility, build anticipation, and establish a cohesive brand identity for the 2026 pageant.
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Primary: Hampton University students, and alumni, with a focus on Gen Z digital audiences.
Secondary: Families and friends of the contestants.
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Instagram was the primary platform, leveraging its visual-first format, repost culture, and high engagement potential among student audiences.
The campaign utilized themed promotional visuals, coordinated photo releases, and video content to highlight contestants while maintaining a consistent and elevated brand aesthetic.
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The campaign generated over 7,000 likes, 2,800 shares, and 751 comments across promotional content, indicating strong audience interaction and content shareability.
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Challenge: A shortened promotional timeline due to scheduling changes, which limited the campaign’s ability to maximize reach.
Insight: The campaign reinforced that while timing impacts reach, strong creative and intentional branding drive deeper engagement.