At 10 p.m. Friday night, the SGA Elections Council announced Grace Crim as the next Miss Auburn on the steps of Cater Hall.
Crim, surrounded by a large group of excited supporters, was greeted by the previous Miss Auburn, Kate Preston. The two women embraced and exchanged smiles as they climbed the steps.
"I think I'm just in awe," Crim said. "The people that came behind me and supported me — it just brings me to tears because I just appreciate how all of them were just so sweet throughout this process and just the more I think about it, I couldn't do it without any of them and that's the reason why I'm here. So, I'm just really thankful."
As Preston now passes on the mantel of Miss Auburn to Crim, she said it's "the definition of bittersweet," but that she's excited to pass on the legacy to someone who "has such a heart for Auburn."
Crim is a pre-physician assistant student and junior in nutrition science who was originally nominated for the role by Auburn University Student Recruiters. She won a total of 3,068 votes, 38% of the total votes cast for Miss Auburn candidates.
"It's just incredible... You have this dream and this vision, and now you're about to walk through it. So, it's so surreal, but I'm excited to get to see what we can do and honestly just live up to the platform," Crim said.
Crim's platform is centered on connectedness. Her primary goals include helping students find their place on campus, strengthening communication between students and their professors, increasing relationships between upperclassmen and advancing Auburn's outreach to "all geographical locations."
As she enters into the legacy of Miss Auburn, Crim will become an honorary member of the War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen and be the official hostess of Auburn University. Crim upholds a tradition spanning from 1934 to stand as a strong, female representative of Auburn University.
The final voting totals for the four other Miss Auburn candidates were Lily Pounders with 1,648 votes at 20.42%, Alexxia Carter with 1,387 votes at 17.19%, Clair Congo with 1,139 votes at 14.12% and Abbie Starr with 827 votes at 10.25%.
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Kristen is a senior majoring in journalism with a minor in business. She has been with The Plainsman since her freshman year serving as a sports writer, podcast editor and host, and most recently, operations managing editor. Carr is currently the editor in chief of The Auburn Plainsman.
Twitter: @kristencarrau
