March 1, 2024

On Saturday, Feb. 24, Columbus State University crowned Kennedy Larkin of Albany, Georgia, as its 25th Miss CSU. The sophomore majoring in elementary education will go on this summer to represent the university in the Miss Georgia Scholarship Pageant, which is part of the Miss America Organization.

Larkin was one of four contestants in this year’s pageant. As Miss CSU, she receives a $1,500 tuition scholarship and a $500 bookstore scholarship. Other contestants included:

• First runner-up Tori Hudson, a junior from Locus Grove, Georgia, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in astrophysics. She receives a $300 tuition scholarship and a $200 bookstore scholarship.
• Second runner-up Sydney Perez, a junior from Kennesaw, Georgia, pursuing a degree in theatre education. She receives a $200 tuition scholarship and a $100 bookstore scholarship.
• Third runner-up Daphne Bryant, a freshman from Douglasville, Georgia, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communication. She receives a $100 bookstore scholarship.

Other awards included the Katelyn Pawlowski Spirit of CSU Award, bestowed on Larkin for best embodying the university’s values among the pageant’s contestants. It is named for two-time alumna and 2013 Miss CSU Katelyn Pawlowski Miller '14, '18.

The judges also presented Perez with the Hayley Henderson Community Service Award for best exemplifying a service mindset. It is named for two-time alumna and 2011 Miss CSU Hayley Henderson Tillery '12, '15.

2024 MISS CSU KENNEDY LARKIN

Larkin, the daughter of Shuntora and Darrell Laster, is a 2022 graduate of Westover High School in Albany. Along with her studies at Columbus State, she has served as president of the Eta Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., speaker of the Student Government Association Senate, captain of the Cougar Dynasty Dance Team, and participates in both the Honors College and the William B. Turner Servant Leadership Program.

Although an active member of Columbus State’s student body, Larkin is a newcomer to the pageant scene. She hopes through her role as Miss CSU she can be a role model to others in her hometown.

“What drew me to doing the pageant was showing girls my age from my hometown that what seems like the impossible could be possible,” she said. “I want my reign to influence other people my age to participate in similar activities and make differences where they can. I want my reign to help people understand that nothing is impossible if you have drive, dedication and apply the proper work behind it.”

Competing for a tiara may have been a new experience, but it allowed her to showcase her dancing skills—a talent she’s been honing since she was 2 years old. As Miss CSU, Larkin will work to bring greater focus to the growing issue of domestic violence. Her platform includes plans for workshops for college students to learn more about its many forms, as well as resources for those coping with or recovering from it. 

“I chose my platform because my mother was a [domestic violence] victim, and this past summer, I lost a classmate due to domestic violence,” she explained. “I’ve begun to notice that domestic violence is becoming a trend among women my age, and I wanted to make a change in this area.”

The role of Miss CSU is an influential one, as demonstrated by the retiring 2023 Miss CSU, Aaliyah Phillips (pictured). An elementary education major like Larkin, Phillips devoted her year representing the university to advocating for reading literacy within local Muscogee County School District schools—especially those heavily populated by socioeconomically challenged students. Crowned Miss Atlanta in August 2023, Phillips expanded the reach of her reading literacy platform into the Atlanta Public Schools system. 

In both roles, Phillips carried with her “a sincere sense of pride” being able to represent Columbus State, and she considered the university and surrounding communities among her greatest assets.

“My advice to Kennedy, our new Miss CSU, is to lean into the experience and to enjoy every moment of it,” Phillips said. “Additionally, I would advise her to lean into serving the Muscogee County community.  Remember you have a village of Columbus State students, faculty and alumni who are here to support you and to ensure you have a successful reign.”

ABOUT THE MISS CSU PROGRAM

The Miss CSU Scholarship Program Pageant includes four competitive phases—a pre-event interview, a live on-stage interview, talent and evening wear—that combined form each contestant’s score. Judges for the Feb. 24 Miss CSU Pageant included:

• Victoria Buchanan, a two-time Columbus State alumna who currently serves as the university’s orientation and parent and family coordinator. She also advises CSU’s chapter of the Delta Zeta sorority and the Student Government Association.
• Maiya Harris, a two-time Columbus State alumna who serves as the university’s coordinator for Diversity Programs & Services. She previously served as recruiter in the Office of Admissions.
• Sarai Hitchcock is Columbus State’s assistant director of annual giving. She joined the university’s Advancement team in September 2023, bringing to Columbus State experience in fundraising, marketing and Greek life. She is a graduate of both Mercer University and the University of Notre Dame.
• Dr. Rocky Marsh, a budget analyst at nearby U.S. Army Fort Moore who also represents the installation on the Mayor’s Crime Prevention Committee. An Army veteran, he served three tours in Korea and one combat deployment to Afghanistan. He is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and chairs the Alpha Onward & Upward Foundation Scholarship Committee.

“Since the first Miss CSU was crowned in 1999, the Miss CSU Scholarship Program has provided opportunities for young women to expand their quest for knowledge and acquire skills to better equip them for future opportunities,” said William Keen, who coordinates the program on behalf of Columbus State’s Division of Student Affairs. “Reigning Miss CSUs have honed their leadership skills and developed a greater sense of personal, professional and community awareness as they represent the student body and university.”

The reigning Miss CSU must be available to serve as the university’s official ambassador during her entire year of service and be willing to make as many appearances, parades and events as possible. For previous Miss CSUs, this has included meeting and interacting with city and state officials, community leaders, and local volunteers.

Participation in the Miss CSU program is open to any female undergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled at Columbus State University. She must have completed at least one entire semester of courses, have maintained a 2.5 or higher GPA, be currently single and never married, and be a U.S. citizen—all of which comprise the requirements to participate in the Miss Georgia Scholarship Pageant as Columbus State's official delegate. Furthermore, if the newly crowned Miss CSU is a graduating senior or in her final year of graduate school, she must be willing to continue representing CSU on campus and in the community for the full year of her service.

Like past Miss CSUs, Larkin will be Columbus State’s official representative to the Miss Georgia Scholarship Pageant this summer and, if successful there, to the Miss America pageant.

For more information about Miss CSU or to request a Miss CSU appearance, visit the Miss CSU website.

Media contacts:
Michael Tullier, APR, Executive Director of Strategic Communication + Marketing, 706.507.8729, mtullier@columbusstate.edu 
William Keen, Division of Student Affairs, 706.507.8013, keen_william@columbusstate.edu 

Relevant news coverage:
Albany native crowned Miss Columbus State University (March 4, 2023, Albany Herald)