Tiarra Taylor, a two-time Miss Indiana State University and Miss Harvest Homecoming queen, will represent the state at the Miss America competition in December. Her talent is vocal performance.

“These past four months as Miss Indiana have been two words: ‘busy’ and ‘fun.’ I have done a lot of traveling already, attending events and volunteering,” Taylor said.

Taylor, ’20, a communication major from New Albany, is only the second Miss Indiana State University to become Miss Indiana. The other was Terre Haute native Kathleen Burke in 1961.

One of her favorite moments so far as Miss Indiana was attending the Circle City Classic Coronation for high school girls. The event promotes academic achievement, community service and leadership. “The love I was shown by those there was unmatched, and it was so cool to get to meet the young women there,” she said.

The role of mentor is one Taylor enthusiastically embraces, as her social impact initiative is “Bringing advantages to disadvantaged youth.”

“I was a disadvantaged youth. Growing up in a low-income household and being a minority, there were many barriers stacked against me. However, I persevered and overcame those obstacles,” Taylor said. “I want other young people to know that they are capable of doing the same, despite their circumstance.”