Excited friends, family and fellow students of the contestants for the title of Miss Auburn gathered on the second floor of the Melton Student Center this evening to hear the callouts for the top five ladies moving on to the next round of the competition.
The top five candidates for 2023-2024 Miss Auburn are Cameron Stephens, Nylah Bluiett, Jillian Daugherty, Kate Preston and Braxton Rich.
Stephens said that she was very humbled when she found out she had the chance to be the next Miss Auburn.
"To be surrounded by all of these incredible women and to be chosen to share your platform and share your heart on Auburn's campus, I don't think there's a better way to get to know the community and make a better difference," Stephens said.
Stephens explained that she has a lot of work to do over Christmas break on her platform, but is excited for what comes next.
Bluiett expressed the same sentiment that she was really excited to start campaigning. With her platform, she wants to focus on the affordability of Auburn, making sure all students feel like they belong and have the opportunity to stay at Auburn despite their financial needs.
Preston, Daugherty and Rich were all nominated by their sororities, Chi Omega, Alpha Gamma Delta, ad Alpha Omicron Pi respectively.
"These girls have shaped me into the woman that I am today and I am just so incredibly honored to represent them," Daugherty said
Preston said that it had been a fun journey thinking about all the reasons she loved Auburn and all the things Auburn had done for her.
Rich described her feelings in one word: grateful.
"I can’t even put into words the excitement and gratefulness that they [her sorority sisters] leaned into me throughout this entire process and I'm blessed to be here in this moment," Rich said. "This is incredible."
Rich plans on focusing her campaign on ensuring the safety of all students on Auburn's campus.
Since 1934, the tradition of electing a student to become "Miss Auburn" has been in place to recognize the official hostess of Auburn University, demonstrating what it means to be an Auburn woman.
After being elected as Miss Auburn, the winner will serve as an honorary member of the War Eagle Girls, who represent Auburn University as a whole to faculty, students and the Auburn community.
These five women will continue their campaign on the Haley Concourse in spring of 2023 to run for the title of Miss Auburn.
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Harlee Meydrech, senior in public relations with a minor in business, currently serves as the editor-in-chief of The Auburn Plainsman. She previously served as the assistant managing editor and an editor in the culture section.
