ABOUT Lauren
Indiana University, Senior
MY COLLEGE KICKS ASS BECAUSE…
There was no question in my mind that Indiana University was the school for me- as it was the only university I applied to my senior year. I’m an Indiana girl and grew up just an hour from IU’s campus in Bloomington, but never realized just how special this university was until I got here. I like to say Bloomington is the hidden gem of Indiana. As Miss Indiana University, I feel like I’ve really gotten to know the people of this community- Bloomington and Indiana University together represent a diverse group of people who are the epitome of Hoosier Hospitality.
THE MOST MEMORABLE THING I’VE DONE SINCE FRESHMAN YEAR IS…
There are two big milestones when I think of memorable moments of my college career. The first was halfway in the summer after my sophomore year when I took a one-way ticket to Los Angeles and spent the summer alone, traveling & taking classes. I’ve lived in Indiana nearly my entire life and my hometown is quite small, so this was a really amazing opportunity filled with a lot of personal-growth. Because IU has such a fantastic Alumni Association, I was able to meet many people who went to the university as well.My second would definitely have to be being Miss Indiana University- it has allowed me to truly know my school and the community of Bloomington. It’s the greatest honor when I think about the fact that I get to represent over 40,000 incredible students.
I MAJOR IN…
I’m a psychology major graduating with a journalism certificate as well. As a senior- I’ve been able to observe and understand the deeper issues that college students struggle with. Mental health is one of those issues that I feel we dont talk about enough in general, but especially in a college campus setting. I’ve grown to be very passionate about advocating for mental health education on campus- specifically with depression and anxiety. I hope to continue this far beyond my college years and work with others who are passionate about ending the stigma of mental health as well.
OH YEAH, AND YOU SHOULD PROBABLY KNOW THAT…
I love learning about new cultures, traveling, and meeting new people. Both of my parents immigrated to the United States when they were in their late teens/early twenties and because of my background, I have a deep love for meeting international students and introducing them to American culture. I also speak Arabic fluently & love middle eastern food!
AT SCHOOL, I’M INVOLVED IN…
Being Miss IU is one of the biggest commitments for me right now- it’s associated with the Miss America Organization, and this past summer I had the opportunity to compete for Miss Indiana- placing in the top 5. I get the opportunity to promote many things that I’m passionate about on campus- working with student organizations that promote mental health advocacy & wellness.
I’m also a part of Crimson CORPS- a student organization that is trained to understand mental health issues in college and promote advocacy. We work closely with psychologists in the IU Counseling and Psychological services center.
My freshman year of being IU- I took a photography class and fell in love with the art of photography. I continued to teach myself and started photographing people as a side job. Now I’m the official photographer for the student organization- the college of luminaries. It’s a student group that works to bring famous alumni back to campus to speak and engage with students.
I’m also a member of the sorority Alpha Gamma Delta.
DESCRIBE YOUR LAST FRIDAY NIGHT.
Well, yesterday my little sister (a freshman at IU) and I watched movies and ate kettle corn. Spending time with the people I love and relaxing are some of my favorite things to do on the weekend!
WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE MISS COED 2016?
This seems like a really awesome opportunity to further make connections with people. My favorite quote has always been “Life is about relationships, and the rest is just details.” When there is an opportunity to connect with people and make an impact, I always take it.
