Hometown: Effingham, IL; Year: Sophomore; Major: Criminology and Criminal Justice
An aspiring lawyer, Miss Crossroads of America, and a driving motivation to share her passions on a large platform as Miss Indiana, she is Kyandra Zerrusen. She’s won many awards since the age of 16 in the Illinois County Fair system. Miss Indiana wasn’t on her radar before, but as the biggest stage of her life approaches, the emotions are high, and so is her gratitude.
“I had never considered competing for any prelims in the Miss America Opportunity before arriving at Indiana State University. I competed for Miss ISU simply for fun and loved the experience. The journey has been full of fear, excitement, and learning. I would love the chance to represent the Hoosier state as Miss Indiana to further my message about agriculture appreciation,” she said.
Even on the long days of competition, Zerrusen said one of her favorite parts is the camaraderie amongst the competitors. During the 2023 Miss Crossroads event, she describes strong support: “The girls really support each other and want one another to succeed.” Her ability to build and maintain relationships has served her well headed into Zionsville. She’s ready thanks to her preparation and willingness to ask others for help.
“I am truly grateful for all the other title holders and how helpful they have been to me through this experience. They answered all my questions and prepared me for the week. As a first-year Miss Indiana contestant, I am grateful for the opportunity to compete for a state title. I honestly can barely believe it,” she added.