One thing that’ll kill a campus queen campaign is not being down to earth. Students like to feel as if their representation is approachable and real. We don’t like when our student leaders are so prideful that they don’t fulfill the duties of the crown they campaigned to obtain. Sometimes, showing that you’re going to be the same girl with or without the crown is the only campaign platform that you need. Keep that same energy!
One Queen that kept the same energy after securing the crown that she did before winning it is Cierra Couch, Miss Kentucky State University. Ciara is a three sport athlete, ruling KSU as a championship contending volleyball player. Her passion for her HBCU is unwavering, as she’s the product of a Kentucky State alumni marriage. Gaining the chance to sit atop KSU as the reigning queen was more reminiscent of Power than a Disney movie. There were individuals that wanted her to fold, yet she still stood tall and “reclaimed the crown”. That’s the true mark of a queen!
I recently got a chance to speak with Ciara about her time at Kentucky State and her road to becoming Miss Kentucky State.
MAKE SURE TO VOTE FOR CIERRA AT THE LINK BELOW! VOTING IS UNLIMITED AND IS OPEN UNTIL DECEMBER 31ST! LINK BELOW!
Randall: Thank you so much for allowing me to do this interview! Truly an honor! Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Cierra: I am a graduating senior studying Business Administration, specializing in Marketing. My parents met and graduated from Kentucky State University, which makes me a legacy student! I played three sports in High School (basketball, volleyball, and softball) but I only played Volleyball while at KSU and was blessed to receive 3 SIAC Championships. In the spring of 2018, I chartered the KSU Chapter of the National Organization, Curly In College. I love to sing and Fashion is my passion. My hidden talent is that I can beat box!
Randall: How was your high school career?
Cierra: I graduated high school with a 3.6 GPA and played 3 sports (basketball, volleyball, and softball). I was in a competitive showchoir all 4 years as well and I loved every bit of it! I was never really the type of person to clique up with groups of people, so I was cool with a variety of people. But, I really just played sports and sang the whole time I was in school. I didn’t travel much either, so when I got to college that was one of the things I appreciated the most.
Randall: How’d you end up at Kentucky State University?
Cierra: I applied to ALL HBCUs and I got accepted to almost all of them. All I wanted was to be able to still play volleyball and study fashion. I toured KSU on a random day with my mom and brother on a gloomy, cold day. This may sound cliché, but in just felt right being on campus even though no one was around and it was cold and gray out. I bought a sweatshirt from the book store and I was sold! On top of that, the volleyball coach recruited me even though it was late in the game and paid for my books the first year. The following years I received more scholarship money, but that was just the icing on the cake.
Randall: What made you choose to major in Business Administration and minor in Marketing? What do you want to do after graduation with that degree?
Cierra: I ultimately wanted to major in Fashion Merchandising, but the study was no longer offered. So I thought to myself that I may want to have my own business one day, so I decided to stick with Business. I honestly didn’t understand business all that well, but it was too late to change my major, so instead, I narrowed my studies down to specifically marketing. After graduation, I’m contemplating whether I want to get my masters in fashion or Marketing with a Fashion internship or job. This has been my challenge lately as time is running out quickly.
Randall: Let’s talk about your college experience! I want to go through your first few years at KSU. How was your: (Please detail how you felt each year along with your mindset, how you’ve grown and transformative experiences)
- Freshman Year?
This was, HANDS DOWN, my best year!!! I was so free and I felt like I was truly being myself that I didn’t allow myself to be in high school. I love the energy and my friend group and my teammates! I made good grades and I won my first conference championship! I also got in a relationship lol, but I loved every second of it!
- Sophomore Year
This year got a little tough because I lost some of the people that I thought were my friends, but then gained 3 more who were truly down for me (shout out to Micah , Ileen, and Tori)!
- Junior Year?
This was by far my WORST YEAR EVER! I was going through so much mentally this year and there were so many times where I just couldn’t handle it all. I had to literally pull myself out of a depression due to all the many adversities I faced. I was getting ready to run for Miss KSU this year and my campaign week was stressful and very lonely. I didn’t get much support from my team when I was hosting events, and I had people working against me that I never thought I would have to worry about. I was sick as a dog throughout that entire week and didn’t have a voice, which was tragic, because I was singing for my talent. All of this birthed my platform, “Reclaiming the Crown.” I knew that I couldn’t stay down in a dark place especially as a student leader and someone that was supposed to an inspiration to others. This platform was created as a constant reminder to myself that no matter many times I fall, I will always get back up, adjust my crown, and keep walking in my purpose.
Randall: One thing I discuss in my book A Queen’s Pain is campus politics and the social environment at HBCU’s. In the book, the main character Raynetta Duram has a warped sense of what popularity is. She sees popularity and “clout” as being Greek (specifically a member of the Rho Eta sorority on Laketon State’s campus) and holding a title. In your opinion, what truly defines popularity?
Cierra: I think that popularity is when enough people know your name and what you stand for, but are also willing to follow that and push that for you. You can’t become popular without the help of others.
Randall: Also in the book Raynetta encounters Alicia Taylor, the 75th Miss Laketon State University who reigned when she was a freshman. Alicia took Raynetta under her wing as a mentor, allowing her to shadow her as she fulfilled her duties as a campus queen. However, they grow apart as the school year rolls. Raynetta feels hurt, as she grew to be dependent on the wisdom and guidance of Alicia throughout her freshman year. Their separation aids in her pain. In your opinion, what’s the role of a mentor (especially when the mentee is not that far in age from the mentor). Also, how can a mentor prevent their mentees from being dependent on them?
Cierra: A mentor should lead their mentee in the direction they seek and be open and willing to share their knowledge and wisdom with their mentee. They shouldn’t allow their mentee to be dependent upon them however, because they will never know what it’s like to think for themselves and make the best decisions for themselves. If they are close in age, I think it’s important to still be true to where they are in their life in order to offer the mentee an authentic experience and relationship.
Randall: Does popularity on campus and success go hand-in-hand?
Cierra: No. A person can be popular for what they are a part of or who they hang out with, but not have anything else going for themselves.
Randall: How’d you rise to prominence at Kentucky State?
Cierra: Just cause I’m a “coo cat.” Lol But seriously, I just have a really fun, joyous, and bubbly personality that attracted a lot of people to at least know who I am. I’m also a tomboy at times, which kind of won over all the other athletes or just intrigued the guys on campus who thought I was just this girl that was the Queen and that was it. I wasn’t afraid to have fun with my peers just because of the titles and positions I held and I feel like that made me more realistic when it came to getting to know who Cierra was. I’m just holistically a good person and you can never go wrong with that.
Randall: What made you want to run to be Miss Kentucky State?
Cierra: I never thought that I would be a pageant girl or anything else that comes along with being the Queen, but once I won Miss Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior, I knew this was the perfect platform for the remainder of my leadership at Kentucky State University. It was the perfect combination and of being a boss with style and grace, while also being an influence to others and a helping hand on campus.
Randall: Tell us about your campaign!
- What was your platform?
Cierra: “Reclaiming the Crown
- What were strategies that you used to reach the students to garner their support?
Cierra: I didn’t really do much throughout the campaign week. I just reassured the students that I was the same person that has been a huge help and a friend all these years leading up to voting day. I was sure to stay true to myself through the entire process and I didn’t let the obstacles get in the way of the ultimate goal.
- What were some problems that you encountered in your campaign and how did you overcome them?
Cierra: The first obstacle I had to battle was my extreme sickness at the beginning of the week. Then, during Midnight Madness, students that weren’t on my campaign team were taking my fliers down and saying that my team members were putting them in places that were “off limits” (rolls eyes). So I put one on the ceiling because I was over it lol. Then, I kept hearing that one of the people I was closest to was sharing my campaign ideas with my opponent. That really hurt me the most through the whole week. I had to set up most of my events by myself and I didn’t really have much help or support from my campaign team members.
- How’d it feel when you found out that you won?
Cierra: I literally bawled my eyes out on stage when they announced the RUNNER-UP lol. All I kept saying in my head was “no no no no no” I was so scared that they were going to call my name for runner-up. I literally had tears in my eyes the entire time we were on stage. I cried so much that my lashes came off and so now all the pictures I have are without lashes (rolls eyes lol). When I knew that I won I felt like there was a weight lifted off my shoulders and all I could think about was “This is GOD.” After all that I went through, no one could take God’s purpose for me away. I was such an amazing feeling and probably the best moment in my life to date.
Randall: Tell us about your coronation! How was it and how were you feeling?
Cierra: I was a little nervous about my coronation, because some thing is we weren’t able to get and I didn’t start seeing what was purchased and what the room would look like until the week of. It turned out beautiful and everything went over so smoothly. I had so much time, I wasn’t rushed, and some of my favorite people were able to travel to come support me on my big day. I was absolutely amazing! The theme was “An Evening In Paris.”
Randall: How’d it feel to go viral this past summer with the other HBCU Queen’s?
Cierra: I was honestly so shocked. When I noticed it, my first thought was, “Wow, I was memorable and I really left an impression on these people?” It was such a beautiful thing to see all of us together align with our schools. I felt like I was definitely doing my job by giving the University a positive image and representing us well.
Randall: How’d it feel to meet HBCU queens from other schools?
Cierra: It was really different and exciting! All I heard was, “HEY QUEEN!” all the time and I just reciprocated the energy. It really lead me to yearn for a sisterly bond that only us Queens had. I wanted us to have the type of relationship where after we graduate, we plan trips to go all over the country just because we miss and love each other. I really wished for that and I happy that I got some Sister Queens out of the deal.
Randall: How was NASAP?
Cierra: NASAP was an amazing experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I loved the energy from all the school and even the friendly rivalry conversations that were had through the week. I really appreciate that fact that someone decided to sit down and host a conference catered specifically to our HBCUs so that we may obtain the same types of resources and knowledge to spread it to ALL HBCU students.
Randall: How was National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame weekend?
Cierra: Unfortunately, I was not in attendance as planned. (My biggest regret thus far)
Randall: What’s next for you in your reign?
Cierra: I’m really going to use this upcoming semester to focus on catering to the young ladies on my campus. All of my programming will follow my platform while simultaneously change the lives and minds of our women. I’m also going to enjoy all the moments I have left in my senior year and reign.
Randall: Why should readers vote for you to be an Ebony Magazine Campus Queen?
Cierra: Readers should vote for me to be an EBONY Magazine Campus Queen because Kentucky State University is definitely something worth talking about and getting to know about. We don’t get the same about of publicity as other HBCUs and we are just as great. I would be the perfect example of why Kentucky State University should be in EBONY Magazine and in the hearts of perspective students worldwide. I am a great ambassador for my school and I represent our culture as HBCU Queens well.
Randall: What’s the significance of you being an Ebony Campus Queen to you personally and the Kentucky State community?
Cierra: I would make my family proud and show the students on my campus that I am doing this for them. This will also be a great reminder to me that I am capable of any and everything that the next woman is capable of. I can be just as great as the Girl Bosses that I admire and I can be that young lady that the little black girls look up to and want to be like. That is so crucial to me because our youth are being brought up in an environment that is teaching them that we aren’t beautiful and we can’t be in positions of power and be effective in our roles. This would mean the world to me and my K-State Family.
Make sure to find Cierra on social media!
-
-
- Instagram : @couchkid23
- Snapchat: @couchkid23
- Twitter: @Queen_C_Takeover
- Facebook: Cierra Couch
-
