You may have seen Katie Barnes giving tours around campus or representing her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, and most recently strutting her stuff during the Miss Homecoming Pageant! Our bangin’ (pun intended) Miss Homecoming took some time to chat with me about her big win. She is definitely someone that all of us Clemson ladies can look up to and I am honored to call her my friend.
Her Campus Clemson: What is your hometown, major, and year?
San Clemente, California; Communication Studies; 2nd semester Junior
What are you involved in on campus?
Zeta Tau Alpha (Risk Management Chair and Social Chair), Clemson Tour Guides (Vice President of Recruitment), ClemsonLIFE, Order of Omega, Alpha Lambda Delta, and National Society of Colligate Scholars.
You were just in the Miss Homecoming Pageant here at Clemson. What made you decide to participate? Who were you representing?
Ever since I knew there was a Miss Homecoming here at Clemson, I have always wanted to participate! My sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha decided to nominate me for this year’s competition.
How were you feeling during the actual pageant?
I was absolutely terrified during the opening number because I have no rhythm or dance skills whatsoever. After the opening number, however, I was pretty comfortable and was having a great time!
You went on to make top ten and then after a vote by the students and faculty, you were crowned Miss Homecoming 2012? How does it feel to win that title? And how do you feel seeing how much support you got from the Clemson community?
Winning the title of Miss Homecoming 2012 is one of the best feelings ever. Being able to represent this amazing university that I love so much is amazing and the support from the Clemson community has been unreal! Everyone is so sweet and congratulatory. It is nice to know that I go to a school where everyone lifts each other up.
What was your favorite part about the Miss Homecoming process?
My favorite part was getting go onto the field during halftime. That was the most incredible experience and I will absolutely never forget it. It was amazing to ride onto the Frank Howard Field and stand at the fifty-yard-line with Claire Peyton, Emily Kyle, Lauren, and Lanie and to be able to see from that perspective what Death Valley looks like filled with 80,000 people!
Now, just for fun….
What is your favorite part about Clemson?
My favorite part about Clemson is the school spirit that we have. Every single person that is here is so proud of the university. The spirit is not only evident in the students but also in the faculty and staff. Every Clemson professor is concerned with their students’ successes and every faculty member is available to help students with their needs. Every person on Clemson’s campus is elated to call this place their home. The sense of pride and community here is something unmatched at other schools.
What is your favorite restaurant in Clemson?
Pot Belly Deli!
What is tour favorite quote?
“All these people that quit on us, man, they don’t deserve this. This is for the players and the coaches and for all those people who are all in, all the freakin’ time.” –Dabo SwinneyÂ
What would your ideal Saturday night consist of?
A game in Death Valley and after that, a fun night out with my friends!
Photo Courtesy of Cody Whitelock