Joiya Smith is the 2015-2016 Miss Grambling State University, and Jonathan Wallace won the slot as the next Student Government Association president.
“It’s surreal, it hasn’t hit me yet, campaign week hasn’t even hit me yet,” said Smith moments after discovering she had won. Smith said she is very excited, anxious and ready to see what the next year will bring.
Smith is a senior digital arts major, who is originally from Grambling but spent time in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Bogalusa. Her platform was “Destination 62, Anchored in GSU,” where she will focus on seven different tactics: Pride, Recruitment, Retention, Graduation, Self-Esteem, Unity and Greatness.
She calls this the “Seven Seas to Sail with Smith.”
Wallace is the 2015-2016 SGA President. His platform was “To Discover Your Purpose Exercise Your Power” by placing opportunities within everyone’s reach to discover their purpose by.
Wallace is relieved that the many nights of preparing for the campaign is over and he is glad to see them go.
“I really appreciate all the support, and am very excited about next year,” said Wallace., who is a senior kinesiology major from Jackson, Miss. He is also the kicker and punter for the G-Men and a pianist.
Jamarion Brown was elected Graduate Student Government Association president. Kindrell Plains won vice president for internal affairs, and Kenneth Williams won vice president for external affairs.
The Election also involved several class positions for the undergraduate level.
Genesis Williams was named Miss Junior, and Noelle Burns was selected as Miss Sophomore. There was no eligible candidates for Miss Senior, so the position will be added to the fall elections, primarily used for incoming freshman elections. Miss Freshman will be selected then as well to seal together the Royal Court.
Debrielle Browler was named senior class president. Astra Watts won junior class president, and Adarian Williams ran unopposed for the sophomore class president position.
A part of election week, all candidates must participate in several events. On April 7, the students interact with students during the parade. The ladies vying for queen positions partook in the Queen’s Showcase in the Black and Gold Room.
On April 8, the contestants pulled for votes at the booster event on the Quad. Students were treated to everything from popcorn, cotton candy, BBQ, pizza and even crawfish.
There was also an ice cream social on The Yard on April 9. Voting ended on April 10th at 4 p.m.