Nicholls’ students recently elected three candidates for the title of Mr. and Ms. Nicholls for 2004. Corey Thomas Picou, associate of paramedics major from Patterson, was voted Mr. Nicholls, and Courtney Renee Ponson, marketing senior from Harvey, with Hollie Ann Garrison, mass communication senior from Thibodaux, were named co-Ms. Nicholls when the election tally resulted in a tie. The results were announced when the Student Government Association, Student Programming Association and Peer Assistance held their annual awards and inaugural banquet to honor student leadership and accomplishments.
Picou is a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, the Interfraternity Council, the Nicholls Paramedic Association and the Order of Omega Honor Society, a group that recognizes strong leadership exhibited by fraternity members.
A 1991 history graduate of Nicholls, Picou returned to campus to pursue an associate’s degree in paramedics. “It is a great honor that the students of Nicholls State University have chosen me,” Picou said.
The award caught Garrison completely by surprise. “I was the only girl in the race not backed by a sorority which tells me that I had enough of an effect on people’s lives through my work in the SGA that they felt I deserved the honor. I was such a geek in grade school and high school, but I came to Nicholls and received this honor. It feels great.”
Garrison was public relations director for the SGA and the University Honors Program as well copy design and layout editor for The Nicholls Worth. Garrison also served as both a moderator and a key speaker for many Nicholls speech forums.
According to Jennifer White, the faculty adviser to the Student Programming Association, this is the first time in the history of the award that the final vote ended in a tie.
White served as Ponson’s adviser when she was president of the SPA. “Having worked as Courtney’s adviser, we went through the trenches together. She has an outgoing personality and a very positive, up-beat attitude. She truly represents every aspect of student life at Nicholls, from serving as (a residence hall assistant) in the residence halls to being president of both the SPA and Delta Sigma Theta sorority.”
Ponson also served as co-president of the National Panhellenic Council and was a member of the 2002 Homecoming Court and of the 2003 Greek Court.
Garrison said sharing the award only added to the honor for her.
“It felt good because it was the first time (that the vote ended in a tie),” Garrison said. “Sharing (the award) with (Ponson) made it even more of an honor. She is such a great person.
