By Michael Brooks / Special to the Reporter

TROY – Troy University senior, and Alabaster native, Kaitlin Beyler was named Homecoming Queen on Nov. 3 as the Trojans triumphed over The University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She was nominated by the Chi Omega sorority and elected by popular vote of the students and faculty and crowned by Gov. Kay Ivey.

“Kaitlin has come a long way to who she is today,” said her mother, Annette Beyler. “She struggled with shyness and other issues in middle and high school but now she’s so strong and secure. My heart was bursting when they called her name!”

Annette Beyler said Kaitlin was in shock when her name was called, and her mother had to push her forward.

“I didn’t know what to think myself,” she said, “but I was so proud of her hard work and determination.”

Her mother explained that she adopted Kaitlin from Vietnam when the little girl was six months old and has raised her daughter as a single parent.

“She’s always been small, and she experienced some bullying years ago,” she said. “I  taught her to believe in herself and be a real lady. This honor at Troy was such an affirmation of the lady she is now.”

Mrs. Beyler said Kaitlin suffered a head injury in high school and developed terrible migraines three weeks later. She spent nine days at Children’s of Alabama, where Annette Beyler now works as executive secretary to CIO Bob Sarnecki, and most of her sophomore year recuperating at home.

“Sometimes the headaches were so overpowering she had to stay in bed for days,” Mrs. Beyler said. “We finally found a neurologist who helped her and now she’s fine, but her ordeal lasted nine months.”

Kaitlin graduated with honors from Thompson High School in 2015 where she was a member of the Madrigals singing group. She was awarded the TU Chancellor’s Scholarship the same year covering full tuition at the university. She has maintained the Chancellor’s List for all four years with a 4.0 GPA and will graduate with a B.S. in biomedical sciences in May.

Her mother said Kaitlin has worked throughout her college career to earn  money for school including paid positions with the SGA as chief-of-staff and with the student newspaper, “The Tropolitan.” She was a member of the Troy University College Singers from 2015-2016 and is currently a Trojan Ambassador.

Annette Beyler said Kaitlin also has a strong Christian faith. The family attends Community Baptist Church in Maylene.

“Kaitlin has adopted a great motto,” she said. “It’s ‘I am not defined by past experiences.’ In her case this is very true. She’s an overcomer.”

Kaitlin Beyler said she was humbled to receive this honor.

“I’ve worked at Troy in so many capacities, so I’m happy to represent them,” she said. “Troy has given me a lot and I’m grateful for the last three and one-half years. It’s an awesome school.”

Kaitlin plans to pursue further studies in healthcare and has plans to visit the pharmacy schools at Auburn and Samford in the next few weeks.