Our Campus Celebrity this time around is close to the Her Campus heart. Not only is Alexandria Jenkins one of our HC editors, but she was also recently crowned the Delta Chi Fraternity’s 2014 Miss Jimmy V! Alex may be an underclassman here at ISU but her aspirations sure are big! Her dream is to live in the city, but she isn’t hoping that comes too fast because she loves college and being with her sorority sisters! From a major in Journalism/Visual Communications to her fashion forward pageant look, this girl seems to be a bit of everything.
Her Campus ISU: What is your major?
Alexandria Jenkins: Journalism/Visual Communications with a Spanish Minor
HC: Year in school?
Alex: Sophomore
HC: What sorority are you in?
Alex: I am a proud Alpha Delta Pi!
HC: Aspirations?
Alex: Well one day I hope to be living in a big city, in a cozy loft apartment with my cat Oliver and working for a big magazine.
HC: How did you get involved with the pageant?
Alex: My sisters nominated me! My ADPi sister Alex competed in it last year and was the runner-up. She nominated me and my sisters voted for me to compete in the pageant.
HC: For those who weren’t there, explain a little bit about the pageant.
Alex: A girl from each sorority chapter represented her chapter, and had three outfit changes during the show. First was sorority spirit-wear, then ISU spirit to show our Redbird pride, and last but not least, the formal gown (my personal favorite). We all had coaches from the Delta Chi Fraternity to help us through the week to give us the 411 on the event. Ryan and Brandon were the best. They did such a great job preparing me for everything. We walked out to songs of our choice and then had to answer a few questions at the end.
HC: Who is Jimmy V?
Alex: Jimmy Valvano was a basketball coach that was diagnosed with cancer at age 46 and had dreams of finding a cure. He rallied his friends and family and began raising money for cancer research. The Jimmy V foundation is in honor of Jimmy Valvano and his dedication, strength and his wish of eliminating the terrible disease. The men of Delta Chi represent the Jimmy V Foundation as their national philanthropy, donating money to cancer research every year.
HC: What do you think set you apart from the other contestants?
Alex: All the girls were so beautiful and welcoming. We helped each other with hair and makeup in the dressing room. I really had no idea I was going to win, I just had fun! I was myself and that’s all that matters.
HC: Were you nervous?
Alex: Oh yes. I was really nervous. I can dance in front of thousands of people, but speaking… YIKES! It really wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be, though. I took it step-by-step. My sisters texted me after every round telling me I did great. They really helped calm my nerves!
HC: Okay, so your dress was super cute, where did you get it?
Alex: I’ve gotten that question a lot! My sorority sister and fashion guru, Gabby let me borrow it. My outfits were a collection of sister’s clothes. We share everything!
HC: AND not to mention your hair and makeup, did you do it yourself?
Alex: I did actually! I love doing hair and makeup. I struggled with pinning it back for the formal round, but I had a few girls in the back help me out.
HC: When they crowned you, what were you thinking?
Alex: Well for one, the Delta Chi that crowned me is a good friend of mine. Jake is my best friend, Sara’s boyfriend, so I thought to myself, “I wish Sara was here to see this.” I was also just so proud that I was bringing home that crown to my Alpha Delta Pi sisters. We brought home a donation to our philanthropy, Ronald McDonald House Charities. They did such a great job during Jimmy V Week and I am so proud of them for all their hard work and dedication.
HC: Future plans for any other pageants?
Alex: I don’t think so. I’m extremely busy as it is with school and extra curricular activities. I had so much fun though and I am so excited to call myself 2014 Miss Jimmy V! Not to mention it was for a great cause.
HC: What are your plans for the future?
Alex: Well, for now, I want to focus on school and being with my sisters. I love college and I definitely don’t want to grow up just yet. I am in the process of changing my major, so when I figure it out I’ll let you know.
For more information on the Jimmy V Foundation visit http://www.jimmyv.org