On Sunday, Oct. 17, Sophomore Aria Foster was named Miss Samford 2027. Foster is a Finance major from Harvest, Alabama. She also serves as SGA’s Vice President of Campus Relations.
Foster has been competing in pageants since 2023, when she received an open letter in the mail inviting her to compete in the National American Miss Alabama pageant. Foster, always eager to try something new, took a chance and joined the pageant and won the title of Miss Junior Teen in Alabama.
This was Foster’s second year competing in Miss Samford, after being named first runner-up for Miss Samford last year. She expressed her love for the Miss Samford community and her competitors.
“Even though it was a quote unquote ‘competition’; it really felt like we were just forming a family, and we got to perform on stage with our sisters,” Foster said.
Foster is grateful for her title, and is even more excited to begin serving Samford.
“It was just a surreal moment. It felt like just all the hard work had paid off… It’s been almost a week, not quite yet, but it still doesn’t feel real. I see the congratulations, I’ve got the crown and sash and things like that, but it’s like, oh, my gosh: I really get the opportunity to be Miss Samford and to serve this school in such a unique way.”
“I knew when I first stepped on campus, even before my freshman year, that I wanted to be Miss Samford.”
-Aria Foster
Foster’s community service initiative is Now Not Next, dedicated to empowering students from elementary school through college through creative education and professional skills workshops.
“I like to say that it’s not just an initiative, it’s really how I live my life. It’s all focused on youth empowerment. I have such a strong belief in students and in children in the change that they can make when they’re invested in,” Foster said.
Foster takes no credit for her many achievements. She gives all the praise to God, without whom she says she could not compete.
“I never want to go into a pageant with a competition mindset. It’s more so, ‘Father, your will be done in me and through me.’ I wanted to be sure that I was on track with him, and that this wasn’t just another competition. It wasn’t just another thing for me to do in my own strength, but I was like, ‘Lord, the obedience is the win, and the outcome is up to you,’” said Foster.
Sophie McCorkle, a first-year Pharmacy student and Miss Samford’s third runner-up, has competed alongside Foster for the past two years. She spoke highly of Foster’s character, naming her as “one of the sweetest and most genuine” people she’s ever met.
“She was so encouraging to every girl competing in Miss Samford and truly just wanted each girl to have the best experience. I cannot wait to see how she serves Samford over this next year and can’t wait to watch her compete at Miss Alabama.” Said McCorkle.
Foster wants to encourage anyone interested in competing in Miss Samford to apply, even if they don’t have experience with pageants.
“If you’re a young lady and you’re thinking about competing from Miss Samford, don’t let anybody talk you out of it. Don’t let anybody make you doubt yourself… I’ll be here for you. We’ll be here for you to help you learn and grow. So, shameless plug, but compete in Miss Samford 2028. I look forward to seeing y’all on the stage.”
Foster will represent Samford at the 2027 Miss Alabama pageant.
Arts & Life Editor
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