McConnell Scholar named 2023 UofL Homecoming Queen
McConnell Scholar Paighton Brooks ('24) (left) crowned as Homecoming Queen
Louisville, Ky. (November 1, 2023) – McConnell Scholar Paighton Brooks (’24) was crowned the University of Louisville’s 2023 Homecoming Queen.
Brooks received the honor alongside Homecoming King Prince Chenou during the UofL-Duke football game on Saturday, Oct. 28. The recognition came after being nominated by UofL’s Society of Porter Scholars, participating in alumni-led interviews, and campaigning during the campus-wide voting process. Brooks was selected out of a pool of 23 female nominees and made it to the top 5 candidates alongside McConnell Scholar Yelena Bagdasaryan (’24).
“Being crowned Homecoming Queen for the University of Louisville has been a dream of mine since beginning my undergraduate education. This honor means so much to me for a multitude of reasons but most importantly getting to represent my school, my student organizations, and my family,” said Brooks. “So many people have helped me get to where I am today and I’m excited to share this win with them, as they have been a key part of my journey!”
From Alexandria, Ky., Brooks studies political science and criminal justice as an honors student at UofL. She serves as President of the Society of Porter Scholars, Chief of External Affairs for the Student Government Association, and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chair on the McConnell Scholars Council.
She is both a Dean’s and Woodford R. Porter scholar and was selected as a 2023 participant for the Training and Recruitment Initiative for Admission to Leading Law Schools (TRIALS) at the New York University School of Law.
“Paighton has been a leader on campus since she arrived three years ago,” said McConnell Center Director Dr. Gary Gregg. “We are proud of her service to UofL and glad she is being recognized by her peers with such an honor.”
Founded in 1991, the non-partisan McConnell Center at the University of Louisville seeks to identify, recruit and nurture Kentucky's next generation of great leaders. Our core principles—leadership, scholarship and service—guide us as we (1) prepare top undergraduate students to become future leaders; (2) offer civic education programs for teachers, students and the public; and (3) conduct strategic leadership development for the US Army.