Madison Gaines, junior in human development and family studies, received her Miss Auburn nomination from Auburn Singers and now promotes her platform “Auburn Gaines Perspective," which strives to create deeper relationships with international students.
Gaines said she wants to make the Auburn Family the University promotes a reality by unifying every student and making inclusion a priority on campus.
Gaines lived in China and is working on a minor in Asian studies. She said her time overseas greatly inspired her platform.
“When choosing a platform for Miss Auburn, I wanted something tangible that could make a difference right here on Auburn’s campus,” Gaines said. “Living in China for five years inspired my platform of reaching out to international students: ‘Auburn Gaines Perspective.’”
Gaines said her platform deals largely with the idea of unity throughout Auburn’s campus by encouraging students of various cultural backgrounds to reach out and learn from one another.
“I will strive to inspire students here at Auburn from all cultures to be unified through various on campus programs,” Gaines said. “My greatest wish is to truly embrace our tradition of an Auburn family and to gain a cultural perspective.”
According to Gaines, being Miss Auburn is not only a great way to spread her message about campus-wide unity, but also call students to action.
“I want to be Miss Auburn because I was so deeply impacted by being immersed in another culture that I want to spread that joy that I experienced to everyone I come into contact with,” Gaines said.
Gaines said living in China made her realize what life was like as a minority and how meaningful it is to have people reach out.
According to Gaines, her time abroad also taught her about the uncertainty of feeling different and, on the flip side, how great it feels to be embraced by people from other cultures.
“I know what it feels like to be a minority and be frightened, and I also know how great it feels when someone reaches out to you and embraces your differences,” Gaines said. “I want the international students here on Auburn's campus to feel that they are welcomed.”
Gaines said so far her experiences at Auburn have been positive, and that’s why she wants to make sure every Auburn student can say the same about their time on The Plains.
“My experience at Auburn has been beautiful and unforgettable,” Gaines said. “Auburn is a place where I have made lifelong friends, where I have taken classes that fascinate me and prepare me for what lies ahead, where I have felt accepted into a new family, where I wake up every morning knowing that I'm where I'm meant to be.”
Gaines also said she takes pride is calling Auburn her home.
“It's a place where I'm proud to be and proud to be a part of,” Gaines said.
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