McCalister, Higginbotham named 2009 Miss, Mr. NSU

Rachel McCalister of Natchitoches was named Miss NSU and Eddie Higginbotham of Jennings was named Mr. NSU for the 2009-2010 school year. 

“It makes me feel good because I didn’t do anything other than be myself. I never thought I would receive an honor like that,” said McCalister.

Higginbotham was selected as the 2009 Homecoming Honor Court King last month.

“It was humbling and a bit surreal,” said Higginbotham, a senior health and exercise science/pre-physical therapy major. “I remember the people I looked up to who got this honor and I never thought I would get it.

“Rachel was one of the first people I met when I got here. I didn’t know anyone, but I just threw myself out there and got involved.

McCalister, a senior secondary business education major, is the daughter of Dr. Pam McCalister and Rickey McCalister. She is a member of Phi Mu Fraternity, serving as the organization’s president and holding other leadership positions.

“Students should be involved. I feel it is a way of giving back to the university which has provided me with a scholarship and a good education,” said McCalister.

McCalister has been a member of the Student Activities Board, Demon Volunteers in Progress, Blue Key, Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Kappa Phi and the Student Alumni Association. She is president of Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society. McCalister was the 2008 Homecoming Honor Court Queen and the 2009 Greek Woman of the Year. She said working with incoming freshman in the Freshman Connection program was one of the best opportunities she could have had.

“One reason I did Freshman Connection was that it was a great way to meet new people,” said McCalister. “It was also a way to help me become more well rounded which is the kind of thing that is looked for in the workforce. It helped me learn to contribute to solving problems and to lead people.”

Higginbotham is the son of Eddie Higginbotham III and Ella Higginbotham. He is president of Theta Chi Fraternity and the Student Activities Board. Higginbotham was a member of the Freshman Connection orientation staff and Demon Volunteers in Progress. He is an Interfraternity Council delegate, Greek Ambassador and a member of Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi and the Order of Omega. Higginbotham was the 2009 NSU Student Leader of the Year and Greek Scholar of the Year.

“I feel as if I have had the full college experience instead of just going to class,” said Higginbotham. “I was able to get involved and meet new people. I love being around people so that has been great for me.”

Higginbotham said he wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to be part of a variety of student groups.

“It helps to be in different types of organizations because each one does its own types of events and sometimes you can take a leadership role and at other times, you can just be part of the organization,” he said.

According to Higginbotham, the varied experiences he has had as a student leader will help him in his career as a physical therapist.

“As a physical therapist, you help people get back to how they perform,” he said. “You have to be willing to serve people. I want to help people make their day a little better and get back to 100 percent.”

McCalister plans to earn a master’s degree in educational administration and teach middle school math.

“As a teacher, I will shaping those who will lead this country in the future,” said McCalister. “I’ve learned to deal with people who have a variety of outlooks on life by being involved in student organizations. It has helped equip me for teaching.”