LSU crowned senior communication studies major Kalayna Walker as this year’s Homecoming Queen at halftime during the LSU and South Carolina football game.
Walker said that hearing she won was an answer to her prayers.
“I felt honored to represent my dream school,” Walker said.
Walker decided to run for homecoming court to give back to the LSU community that taught her to lead with confidence and compassion. Living with alopecia, Walker has learned that beauty, purpose and leadership do not come from appearance. Instead, she said those traits come from authenticity.
Walker believes that if she puts her mind to something, she can achieve it through faith. She emphasized that her faith in Jesus is what got her through this process.
During her reign as Homecoming Queen, Walker plans to use her platform to uplift others, especially those who feel overlooked or unseen. She wants to bridge the gap within LSU and the Christian community.
Walker said being an LSU student has shaped her perspective on life.
“Life is so much bigger than just you. Wherever you go, you represent a whole community,” Walker said.
As an LSU student, Walker has taken advantage of opportunities like founding God’s Ambassadors, her Bible study. She said she started it on campus with only five people, and now it has grown to over 200 people.
After graduation, Walker hopes to thrive in her youth mentorship program for children with alopecia, Alo Bloom. She also plans to put her entrepreneurship minor to use by opening a business.
Walker encouraged students who are looking to get more involved on campus to start by talking and networking with classmates.
“Do your work, be nice to everyone you meet and look at everyone you meet as a networking opportunity,” Walker said.
In terms of becoming Homecoming Queen, Walker said that is something that starts freshman year.
“Homecoming Queen is not something you become; it’s something you be. You have to start being that Homecoming Queen freshman year in your classes. Wear your crown everywhere you go,” Walker said.
Walker said that Campus Life told her she broke the record at LSU for most votes for Homecoming Queen. Walker is the third Black woman to win Homecoming Queen at LSU, and her and King T’Senre Gray together make the second Black king and queen pair.
To Walker, no other university is like LSU. She loves the school pride surrounding football games, professors and students. Despite being from Arizona, Walker said Louisiana feels like home.
“I wanted to come here to experience the Louisiana feel and the home feeling of being somewhere where you’re loved,” Walker said.
