NATCHITOCHES – Kristen Prejean of Lafayette has been named Miss NSU and Nicholas Hopkins of Bossier City has been named Mr. NSU by students at Northwestern State University. The honor is one of the highest a Northwestern State student can receive and is based on academic achievement and involvement in campus activities.

“Looking back on all of my years here at NSU, I have always looked up to the past Miss NSU’s and the nominees,” said Prejean. “It almost doesn’t seem real to be receiving the same honor as many incredible women who have come before me. I am so thankful for everyone who believed in me and helped me along the way. Being able to share my love and pride for NSU with everyone around me is a feeling like no other.

Hopkins is equally honored by being selected by his peers.

“I feel so honored to have received this distinction from the students of this great university that we all call home,” said Hopkins, a senior business administration major. “NSU has been my life since my journey here began in the fall of 2017 and I am so grateful to be able to represent Northwestern State in this capacity.

Prejean, a biology/pre-med major, is a member of Phi Mu Fraternity, Alpha Lambda Delta, Order of Omega, Blue Key, Beta Beta Beta and the African-American Caucus. She is Student Government Association vice president. Prejean was the queen of the 2019 Homecoming Honor Court. She was a Presidential Ambassador and was a freshman orientation leader. Prejean is a President’s List student.

“Once I decided that I was attending NSU, I came here and knew that I wanted to get the most out of my college experience,” said Prejean. “I didn’t want these four years to go by without giving it my all because I know what you put into something is what you get out.”

For Prejean, the starting point was being selected as a presidential ambassador as a freshman.

“I loved given tours and learning about NSU so much that it made me want to get involved more,” she said. “Once I joined SGA and Freshmen Connection, I was inspired by other student leaders who were older than me. Seeing many of them so involved, making friends, and mentoring others made me want to do more and be that person to mentor others along the way as well.”

Prejean feels extracurricular activities have helped her learn things and have experiences that wouldn’t have been available otherwise.

“Some of the most meaningful connections that I formed throughout my time here at NSU have been made outside of the classroom,” said Prejean. “Getting involved has given me so many leadership skills and taught me life lessons that just can’t be taught in the classroom. I have made friendships and memories that will last a lifetime in many of the organizations that I got involved in. You never know who you will meet that can impact your life.”

Hopkins is president of the Student Government Association. He is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Lambda Delta academic honor society, Order of Omega Greek Honor Society and the Catholic Student Organization. Hopkins served as a Freshman Connection orientation leader in 2018 and 2019. This summer, he graduated from the 2020 Governor’s Fellows Program after working for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Hopkins was elected to be chairman of the University of Louisiana System Student Advisory Council for 2020-21.

“I decided to become involved because I really wanted to get the most out of my student experience while I was in college,” said Hopkins. “As a member of Greek Life, Student Government, a former orientation leader, and active member in many other campus organizations, I feel like I’ve had an incredibly enriching student experience. I have made so many close, true friends on this campus and that is largely due to my involvement.

Hopkins tries to live by the words of author Neale Donald Walsch once said “life begins at the end of your comfort zone”

“I think that it’s important for you to branch out while you’re in college,” he said. “Getting involved can be scary and may push the boundaries of your comfort zone, but the benefits are worth it.”

Caption

Nicholas Hopkins of Bossier City, left and Kristen Prejean of Lafayette.