On Saturday, Feb. 24, Columbus State University crowned Kennedy Larkin of Albany, Georgia, as its 25th Miss CSU. The sophomore majoring in elementary education will go on this summer to represent the university in the Miss Georgia Scholarship Competition, which is part of the Miss America Organization.

Larkin was one of four contestants in this year’s pageant. As Miss CSU, she receives a $1,500 tuition scholarship and a $500 bookstore scholarship. Other contestants included:

• First runner-up Tori Hudson, a junior from Locus Grove, Georgia, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in astrophysics. She receives a $300 tuition scholarship and a $200 bookstore scholarship.
• Second runner-up Sydney Perez, a junior from Kennesaw, Georgia, pursuing a degree in theatre education. She receives a $200 tuition scholarship and a $100 bookstore scholarship.
• Third runner-up Daphne Bryant, a freshman from Douglasville, Georgia, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communication. She receives a $100 bookstore scholarship.

Other awards included the Katelyn Pawlowski Spirit of CSU Award, bestowed on Larkin for best embodying the university’s values among the pageant’s contestants. It is named for two-time alumna and 2013 Miss CSU Katelyn Pawlowski Miller '14, '18.

The judges also presented Perez with the Hayley Henderson Community Service Award for best exemplifying a service mindset. It is named for two-time alumna and 2011 Miss CSU Hayley Henderson Tillery '12, '15.

2024 MISS CSU KENNEDY LARKIN

Larkin, the daughter of Shuntora and Darrell Laster, is a 2022 graduate of Westover High School in Albany. Along with her studies at Columbus State, she has served as president of the Eta Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., speaker of the Student Government Association Senate, captain of the Cougar Dynasty Dance Team, and participates in both the Honors College and the William B. Turner Servant Leadership Program.

Although an active member of Columbus State’s student body, Larkin is a newcomer to the pageant scene. She hopes through her role as Miss CSU she can be a role model to others in her hometown.

“What drew me to doing the pageant was showing girls my age from my hometown that what seems like the impossible could be possible,” she said. “I want my reign to influence other people my age to participate in similar activities and make differences where they can. I want my reign to help people understand that nothing is impossible if you have drive, dedication and apply the proper work behind it.”

Competing for a tiara may have been a new experience, but it allowed her to showcase her dancing skills—a talent she’s been honing since she was 2 years old. As Miss CSU, Larkin will work to bring greater focus to the growing issue of domestic violence. Her platform includes plans for workshops for college students to learn more about its many forms, as well as resources for those coping with or recovering from it. 

“I chose my platform because my mother was a [domestic violence] victim, and this past summer, I lost a classmate due to domestic violence,” she explained. “I’ve begun to notice that domestic violence is becoming a trend among women my age, and I wanted to make a change in this area.”

The role of Miss CSU is an influential one, as demonstrated by the retiring 2023 Miss CSU, Aaliyah Phillips (pictured). An elementary education major like Larkin, Phillips devoted her year representing the university to advocating for reading literacy within local Muscogee County School District schools—especially those heavily populated by socioeconomically challenged students. Crowned Miss Atlanta in August 2023, Phillips expanded the reach of her reading literacy platform into the Atlanta Public Schools system. 

In both roles, Phillips carried with her “a sincere sense of pride” being able to represent Columbus State, and she considered the university and surrounding communities among her greatest assets.

“My advice to Kennedy, our new Miss CSU, is to lean into the experience and to enjoy every moment of it,” Phillips said. “Additionally, I would advise her to lean into serving the Muscogee County community.  Remember you have a village of Columbus State students, faculty and alumni who are here to support you and to ensure you have a successful reign.”