Nikole Churchill, Hampton University's First White Homecoming Queen Issues Apology for Writing Letter to President Obama to Help Her Deal with Fallout from her Win

As if President Obama has nothing to worry about, Nikole Churchill, the "Homecoming Queen" at Hampton University, a traditionally black university, sent the president a letter complaining that her win had been questioned on campus because she is white. Needless to say, her letter riled students at the university prompting her to issue a public apology, saying she had taken "the comments of a few and blew them out of all proportion." Like President Obama, Churchill grew up in Hawaii and wrote to him after winning the university's beauty pageant last week.

"It would be much easier to say that possibly some were not accepting of the news because I wasn't the most qualified contestant; however, the true reason for the disapproval was because of the color of my skin. I am not African American," the nursing student wrote to the president.

She asked the president for help, suggesting that he visit Hampton University to convince students to "stop focusing so much on the color of my skin and doubting my abilities to represent, but rather be proud of the changes our nation is making towards accepting diversity."I am hoping that you can assist me in opening some closed minds," Churchill said. Geez, I didn't realize that President Obama has Dr. Phil-like qualities.

Many of the students said that their disgruntlement with Churchill had nothing to do with her race. I would venture to say that some of these students are upset with her because she isn't the face of the student body at large. She is a transfer student who attends Hampton University's satellite campus in Virginia Beach and she has never lived in a dorm, nor has she spent time in the Student Center. On that basis, how in the world did she pull off such a win?

Churchill has issued a statement on the university's website, regretting having written to Obama and apologizing for drawing negative attention to Hampton University, which she hailed as being a long-time pioneer of diversity.  The next instalment in the drama will likely play out on October 21, when she is due to be formally "crowned" during Hampton University's week-long homecoming celebrations.