Wendalyn Towner is a 19-year-old Sophomore majoring in Biology Pre Professional at Alcorn State University (ASU) and is currently serving as Miss Sophomore for the 2020-2021 academic school year.
Towner is the daughter of Wendell and Elaine Towner. She grew up in Canton, Mississippi with three older siblings, Jamerriah Page, Kenya Davis, and Jalynn Towner. While attending Velma Jackson High School, Towner accomplished numerous goals such as becoming a member of the Velma Jackson Choir, Student Government Association (SGA), Technology Student Association (TSA), and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). She was also crowned Miss Velma Jackson for the 2018-2019 academic school year. Upon her arrival at Alcorn, Towner wanted to learn as much as she could about the history-filled campus. Since her arrival, she has joined organizations such as Girl’s Coalition, GC Modeling Team, Impact Community Service, POWER (Power of Women Expecting Results), SGA (Student Government Associations), and Concert Choir.
It wasn’t until the Spring semester of 2020 that Towner decided to run for Miss Sophomore. She felt as though she had many new and exciting ideas that she could bring to the class of 2023 and the student body. Towner stated, “By allowing myself just to be a student my Freshman year it gave me a chance to see a couple of things the SGA can improve upon and what I could bring to the table.”
Due to COVID-19, SGA elections were postponed until the Fall semester of 2020. On September 24th, at 7:00 pm on Alcorn’s Student Government Association’s (SGA) Instagram page, it was announced that Towner was elected Miss Sophomore. The campaign that she ran on was entitled “BRAVE GIRL”. The acronym GIRL stood for Guiding Alcorn safely through this pandemic, Innovative initiatives, Research and Academics, and Leadership.
As the pandemic pressed on, many regulations Alcorn set in place changed many activities that many SGA elected officers looked forward to. Towner explained, “At first becoming Miss Sophomore during this pandemic was quite disappointing being that many activities, as well as events that took place last year, could not take place in the 2020-2021 school year.” Now that she has adjusted to Alcorn’s changes, she feels that the student body has had many successful social distancing events despite the global pandemic.
Towner’s Fall semester might have started rocky, but as time progressed, she learned how to work through tough regulations while also making activities enjoyable. She explains that she wishes to fix the issues and concerns of her Sophomore class while also introducing them to exciting and educational activities. “Alcorn is known for its family-like atmosphere and that is an atmosphere that I would like to continue,” Towner stated. She believes that Alcorn is truly a home away from home.