Little Ms. Southern University Pageant

Southern University and A&M College prides itself in providing opportunities for both students and the community outside of academics. This is done in many forms such as service projects, game day tailgating, and even pageants.
On Saturday, September 26, 2021, Southern University held the Little Miss Southern Pageant at the Smith Brown Memorial Union in the Royal Cotillion Ballroom.
The Little Miss Southern Pageant provides mentoring and spotlight opportunities for the title holder and contestants. The title holder receives a prize package including a crown, sash, features at the Southern University Homecoming, Bayou Classic, and much more.
The pageant was held at 5:00 pm and was available for viewing both in person and through livestream. The pageant had a TikTok theme, which is a fairly new social media platform consisting of short, trendy videos. The pageant had six contestants from the ages of 6 to 8 years old.
The pageant consisted of six different categories which were the opening number, future ambition, Southern University spirit, talent, formal, and a question-and-answer segment.
The opening number consisted of a medley of popular hip-hop and pop songs along with a guest appearance of the 91st Miss Southern University A&M College, Jaden Johnson.
The future ambition segment allowed the young girls to showcase their goals and future career paths. The Southern University spirit segment allowed the young girls to show their SU pride. The talent segment consisted of dance numbers chosen by the young contestants.
The formal segment showed the young girls in full glam where they participated in the question-and-answer segment.
Following the question-and-answer portion was a short intermission for scoring. Before the crowning and awards ceremonies, the young ladies were able to take a group photo with the current members of the Southern University court. All young ladies received a participation award prior to the crowning of the new Little Miss Southern, Miss Zayah Symone Cooper.
Zayah Cooper is the daughter of Lynneitra Schofield. She is seven years old and from Gramercy, Louisiana. She currently attends Paulina Elementary school where she is in the 2nd grade. Cooper enjoys dancing, watching Tik Tok, having sleepovers with her friends, and playing with make-up. Cooper has plans of attending Southern University where she will study nursing. As the new Little Miss Southern Zayah will have the chance to represent Southern and her community.
For more information regarding the Southern University Royal court, you can visit the Southern University website or follow their Instagram page at subr_royalcourt.