Eastern Michigan University senior Ja’La Wourman was crowned Homecoming queen during halftime at the Homecoming game against Kent State at Rynearson Stadium Oct. 6.
Wourman spoke with The Eastern Echo about her achievements and excitement at being crowned queen.
Q: Where you are from?
A: My mom and dad’s side of the family are both from southwest and downtown Detroit. Since I am a Navy brat, I grew up in Yokosuka, Japan at the Yokosuka Naval Base from 5th grade to 12th grade. So I say I’m from Detroit but not from Detroit (laughs).
Q: How were you able to get accustomed to the Japanese culture?
A: Since I was on a Navy base, it was kind of easy because there are other military families and government officials living on the naval base. Being exposed to diverse cultures, I grew up knowing that I’m going to be around people that are different from me, so I was always used to it … When I moved to Japan, I lived in the Japanese community for two years before we moved on the base.
Q: What are your favorite hobbies?
A: I love to eat and work out.
Q: Why did you want to be Homecoming queen?
A: This is my senior year, my last full year at Eastern. I have one more semester and I wanted to do everything this year. I was on the computer, saw the application and I thought to myself, ‘I could be a good candidate for Eastern’s Homecoming queen.’ If I am going to be representing the university, it needs to be someone who’s diverse and who really is TRUEMU.
Q: Do you have any hidden talents?
A: I’m a good praise dancer. I’ve done it when I was little and I don’t praise dance anymore unless I’m in my room.
Q: What is your major and minor?
A: Language, literature and writing and comprehensive communication in theater arts.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: Go overseas and help less fortunate youth either in education, poverty or something where I’m directly helping people who don’t get all the great things we get in the United States.
Q: What was your most proud moment(s)?
A: Winning Homecoming queen with [the] honor of being the fifth African-American Homecoming queen [at EMU], and having a 2.5 GPA my sophomore year and making it to the dean’s list the following semester.
Q: If you were trapped on an island with one person, who would it be?
A: Jesus. I would love to be on an island with Jesus. I feel like I would learn a lot.
