Joiya Smith, a native of Bogalusa, was officially crowned as Miss Grambling State University 2015-16 on Thursday, Sept. 17, at the T.H. Harris Auditorium on the campus of GSU.

Smith is a 2012 honor graduate of Bogalusa High School, and is the 21-year-old daughter of Veronica Adams Smith and Robert (Vaneda) Smith. She is the granddaughter of Katherine and the late Benjamin Smith, as well as the late Hannah and Ray Adams. She is the youngest sibling of Robby, Chelsea, Vaneda and Nick.

Smith started her college career at GSU in the summer of 2012, to major in the creative field of digital arts. She currently holds a 3.5 grade-point average. She is an active member of the Alpha Gamma Art Guild, the Favrot Student Union Board, Tiger Dolls of the GSU football team, and was elected as the 2013 -2014 Miss Sophomore.

She also served as the junior class vice president, president of The Society of Distinguished Black Women Inc. and an ambassador of The GSU Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Smith also was awarded the pleasure of interning with the artist to help create the university’s latest statue, Eddie The Tiger.

The coronation ceremony was titled as “Krewe of Tigers: The Royal Gala.” This celebration was attended by her family members, faculty and students of GSU, and many friends from near and afar as Bogalusa. All were joyous in wishing her well in their support and prayers.