Bayou Classic: Miss Grambling State and Miss Southern A&M Share Childhood Friendship

GRAMBLING — They will be on opposite sides of the Bayou Classic field for the annual competition, but Miss Southern A&M University Alacia Brew and Miss Grambling State University Rickenzie Johnikin are friends whose bond extends beyond rivalry.

The two have been best friends since 2005, when they met in their hometown of Farmerville, continuing their friendship through attendance at Union Parish High School. They participated in many activities together, including cheerleading, UACT, National Honor Society and more before graduating in 2016 and enrolling in their respective ideal universities.

“The Bayou Classic is such an important tradition in HBCU culture,” said Johnikin, a junior mass communications major. “Alacia and I always dreamed of being leaders at our respective universities and I'm proud that together we represent two of the greatest institutions in the state.”

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Inspired by each of their father's passions for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Brew and Johnikin, both sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., chose higher education at institutions with historically significant cultures. Being on opposite sides of a traditional HBCU face-off is only part of the adventure in their lifelong friendship and pursuit of success.

“To experience the legacy of the Bayou Classic with my best friend as queen beside me is surreal,” said Brew, a senior studying speech-language pathology and audiology. “Rickenzie and I are honored to contribute and hope to make a lasting impression for both of our Universities.”

This year’s Classic welcomes Sheryl Underwood, founder and chief executive officer of the Pack Rat Foundation for Education, as a celebrity ambassador. Her foundation is raising money to support HBCUs and students who are committed to pursuing a higher education.

Tickets to the 46th Annual Bayou Classic and other traditional weekend events are available now. Find out who will take home the win in the Mercedez-Benz Superdome on at 4 p.m. Saturday.

By the numbers:Grambling State vs. Southern at the Bayou Classic