Who’s who in the Bicentennial Homecoming Court
Homecoming is a tradition in the United States that is an annual part of the school year at many colleges, high schools, and middle schools to welcome members of the community back to their former campuses. Maryville is no exception, and with the added bicentennial events the campus will be packed with eager alumni and community members. All of this added publicity means extra attention is being paid to the students representing the student body this year.
Every year Maryville College’s homecoming parade and game features members of each class as part of the Homecoming Court. These students are elected by their peers to represent their class and are presented during half time. Maryville College does not adhere to any gender restrictions on nominations by simply taking the top two students and using the title of Homecoming Royalty rather than King and Queen.
This year, the nominations were held from Sept. 30 to Oct. 4 with students being notified of their nomination on Oct. 5. Students could nominate two people from any class, not just their own, allowing for all students to elect who they thought were worthy representatives of Maryville College.
The top two students from the freshman, sophomore and junior classes are included in the Homecoming Court. The top eight nominees from the senior class are all included in the parade, court and halftime presentation with the top two being crowned as the Homecoming Royalty for the 2019-20 academic year.
The freshmen class is being represented by Abby Smither and Marissa Nelson, the sophomore class is being represented by Joshua Woods and Ale Yanez, and the junior class is being represented by Madison Gilliam.
The seniors up for homecoming royalty are Maria Vanegas, Kelley Wandell, Hayley Jeffers, Sydelle Young, Aaron Solomon, Kyle Riddle, Cameron Moore, and Jordan Muse. Voting for the senior homecoming royalty honors will run from Oct. 14 through Oct. 18. The two students that receive the highest amount of votes will be revealed at half time.
With all of the bicentennial celebrations, there is special excitement surrounding homecoming this year. The opportunity to represent their class has excited some of the homecoming court nominees.
“I would’ve never expected to be elected, but I’m so thankful to my class for allowing me to represent them, especially in the bicentennial year,” said sophomore theatre major Joshua Woods.
The homecoming parade will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 1:00 p.m. starting at Circle Drive between Carnegie and Anderson Hall. The Maryville College Scots will play the Methodist University Monarchs at 2 p.m. on Honaker Field. A large crowd is expected for the bicentennial game, so make sure to get your ticket at the beginning of the game to catch the court presentation and royalty reveal at half-time!