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Tamara McMillan click image to enlarge

By Rama Peroo
Cowley College

It's been quite a start to the school year for Cowley College's Courtney Crain as the sophomore from Arkansas City was named both the September Student of the Month and was then informed she is one of five candidates for Queen Alalah LXXVI.

Crain grew up around the Arkalalah festivities and hoped to one day be a part of the Queen's court. However, she was not expecting the honor.

"I was totally shocked. I have gone to Arkalalah since I was born," Crain said. "As a little girl, I would see the Queens on the float and think how cool it would be to get to do that."

Crain, the daughter of Kent and Pam Crain, is a sophomore communications major.

She has two younger brothers who attend Ark City Christian Academy.

Christopher is a freshman and Carson is in sixth grade.

Grandparents are Elmo and Barbara Crain, of Arkansas City, and Bob and Pat Brown, of Ark City.

At Cowley, Crain is the assistant editor of The Cowley Press, president of Tyger Tawk, vice president of fellowship in Phi Theta Kappa and a Student Ambassador.

She is also involved in Campus Christian Fellowship, the journalism, math and science clubs and the Act One fall musical. She also serves as a work-study student for the humanities department and is a member of the concert choir.

She has participated in Relay for Life and Bowl for Kid's Sake. Off campus, she is teaches first-grade Sunday school and sings in the youth praise band at her church.

A May 2007 Ark City Christian Academy High School graduate, Crain has also been taking classes at Cowley for the past two years and has thoroughly enjoyed her time at Cowley.

"I have become a lot more independent and been able to get involved with a lot of different things," Crain said. "I love Cowley, I don't like having to think about leaving."

In her free time, she enjoys singing, cooking, scrap booking and shopping.

After graduating from Cowley, she plans to transfer to a four-year school with a good communications program.

She hopes one day to become a news anchor or investigative reporter. She is currently taking a broadcasting class at Cowley.

Crain is looking forward to the Arkalalah festivities.

"I love the food and the atmosphere," Crain said. "It's a great time for the community and lots of fun. This is a great group of girls, I'm looking forward to every minute of it."