Homecoming has ended, but the fun has just begun for this year’s Mr. and Miss Trojan Pride.
Isaiah Thomas and Jayden McQueen were selected as Mr. and Miss Trojan Pride at last week’s homecoming pep rally.
McQueen, a junior political science major from Crestview, Florida, was grateful to win the coveted title.
“I was completely and utterly shocked,” McQueen said.
Thomas, a junior global business major from Ozark, Alabama, said he felt an explosion of emotions hearing his name when Mr. Trojan Pride was announced.
“I was happy, excited and nervous seeing all those people looking at me,” Thomas said. “It was worth it because I worked hard for it.”
McQueen and Thomas display their Trojan Pride by being active students on campus.
Thomas is part of the Xi Beta chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.
“I try my hardest to do things on campus through my fraternity, but it’s also the little things too,” Thomas said. “Whenever I have the chance to do anything, like be a helping hand, checking up on somebody or being that light in someone’s life, I do it.”
McQueen is a senator and chairwoman in the Student Government Association, a student worker for the Office of Civic Engagement, and an active member of Delight Ministries, NAACP and TRIO. She’s the first Miss Trojan Pride who is not affiliated with Greek life.
She said her participation in different organizations has helped her grow exponentially.
“Each organization has allowed me to connect with other leaders on campus, serve our community and allowed me to grow personally and professionally in their own special way,” McQueen said. “It’s how I show Trojan pride.” Even though McQueen and Thomas bare the titles of Mr. and Miss Trojan Pride, they believe everyone on campus can express Trojan spirit.
“We all know the college, work and life balance can get rough on our minds and bodies,” McQueen said. “We have been placed in Troy for four years.
“Let’s find the joy in college life while we can and allow that to empower us to walk across that stage in the end.”
Thomas thinks Trojan pride can be many things, not just cheering on the Trojans at sporting events.
“It could be doing what you have to in the classroom, being active in any organization and even putting yourself out there,” Thomas said. “I feel like it’s really needed because it can push anyone to do that exact same thing.” This is just the beginning of Thomas and McQueen’s reign as Mr. and Miss Trojan Pride. They want to continue to show their school spirit until they graduate from Trojan territory.
“I don’t just want to have the title and then sit with it; there’s still work to be done.” Thomas said. “I want to continue to try to get more active on campus and any new opportunities that present themselves, I want to put my all in it.”
“Mr. Trojan Pride and I will plan an epic Trojan Pride week next semester to honor spring sports and create a space for every Troy student to show their Trojan Pride,” McQueen said.
Thomas and McQueen said they are grateful for everyone who voted for them and supported their passion for Troy University and its student body.
From this year’s Mr. and Miss Trojan Pride, “Go Trojans!”
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