Nominated by her peers for her school spirit, involvement on campus and representation of ULM’s values, Kewann “Kiwi” Smith is in the run-offs for Homecoming Queen.
Smith is very involved on campus. All of the clubs and organizations she is in helped build up her confidence to run for Homecoming Queen.
Smith has been involved with the ULM Hawkseekers, an official campus tour guide who also helps with recruitment events throughout the academic year, for the past three years, and currently serves as the organization’s president. Smith has also been on PREP staff, a current ULM student who acts as a guide to incoming students during PREP sessions, twice.
She is also the president of The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), which is the governing body for nine historically African American Greek-letter organizations. Smith also serves as the Vice President of her sorority chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a private, nonprofit sisterhood of predominantly black, college-educated women that focuses on public service and community development.
Smith is also a member of the Black Student Union, an organization that she was a founding member of.
When asked why she decided to campaign for Homecoming Queen, Smith stated that she was afraid to run, but her friends’ support pushed her to move past her fear.
“I originally always feared running for opportunities because I doubted that it would be possible for someone like me, especially with me being a first-generation college student, but I jokingly decided with some friends one day that I would do it and here we are,” Smith said.
Smith campaigned for three days, and each day had a different theme.
On the first day, Smith made a bubble gum stand that promoted her slogan “So Fresh, So Clean! Kiwi for Queen.” The next day, she set up a laundry table using the same slogan as the previous day.
On her last day of campaigning, Smith created a dessert table with caramel apples, cake pops and banana pudding, which was inspired by a slumber party she had for her sixth birthday. With pink feather boas, tiaras and glitter temporary tattoos, Smith campaigned with the slogan “Sweet Dreams, Kiwi for Queen.” Smith wants ULM students and faculty to know that despite being involved in several organizations on campus, she is reserved.
“Being in organizations here at ULM has developed me into being more social, but I’m still adjusting to all the attention, so there are a lot of times where I must take breaks for myself,” Smith said.
Smith would like to thank his family and friends for all their support during her campaign.
“My best friends, Gabrelle McLeod and Ashon Fields, were extremely helpful with
getting me prepared and making sure everything was together,” Smith said. “I also had a lot of helping hands and support from my line sisters; L.E.T.H.A.L., my work family, my friends in the Hawkseeker office, and Ahmaad! To everyone who supported me, I cannot thank you enough for all the love and dedication you’ve shown.”