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Copes crowned Miss Grambling; Brooks named SGA president

Pictured are Grambling State University's new Student Government Association President Ja'Quel Brooks (left) and new Miss Grambling Kelli Copes. (Courtesy photo)

The week of April 18-22, Grambling State University held its election campaign week. 

Positions that were available for the 2022-2023 academic year included Royal Court positions, executive leadership positions, and specific class positions. 

The election votes were tallied on April 25 with Kelli Copes being crowned the 69th Miss Grambling. 

Copes, a senior biology major, said she was ecstatic to see her childhood dream come true. 

A Grambling native, Copes said she was on campus every day because of her parents’ involvement with Grambling State. 

“My sister also ran for Miss Grambling. Although she was unsuccessful, it motivated me even more to bring it home,” Copes said.

Copes also said campaign week was very tedious and required a lot of time out of her schedule. She said her campaign team was a big help, including her campaign manager Kayla Mosby, who would always be checking on her through all times of the day.

“As I go into my reign being the 69th, I want to make sure that we stay focused on serving not just the community but our institution and students,” Copes said. 

Copes has also served in other positions at Grambling including Miss Sophomore, Junior Class Vice President, and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The elections also saw a new Student Government Association President and Vice President crowned.

Ja’Quel Brooks, who was voted to be the new SGA president while Alexa Johnson, a junior biology major, was elected as vice president. 

“I am excited, blessed, and super grateful to have received this position,” Johnson said. “I really went for this position because I will be able to hear what the students want. I want to take some of that feedback that I got and change the narrative and perspective of what people see SGA as.”

Johnson’s campaign theme was “Let Me Be Your Personal Alexa.” She said she created this theme with the mindset that she will be always listening to students and using their feedback for good. 

“Campaign week was an amazing experience whether I would have won or not,” Johnson said. I met so many people on campus that I normally would not have talked to.”

Johnson said she is a people person, but the campaign week really made her branch out. Johnson is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. 

Other students who were elected for SGA  positions include Aaliyah Battiste, Ariel Box, Christopher Frazier, Imani Kakoma, Tyriq Miles, Angel Moore, Morgan Patton, Jada Sam, Taylor Shorter-Johnson, Aaliyah Battiste, Zyra Washington, and Kourtlin Williams.