The Homecoming Court is an accumulation of students that are voted into running for King and Queen. The court makes it a priority that The Sweethearts and Beaus rotate being present at all the Homecoming festivities.
Amber Grace Garrard/The Lion's Roar
The Homecoming Court and their families were invited to spend time together at the beginning of Homecoming Week with a reception put on by the Student Government Association.
The nominated court this year, as well as the previous Homecoming King and Queen, attended the reception with their close family and friends.
SGA President Erin Fernandez introduced the court in pairs and gave a speech addressing them and all who attended the event about the traditions of Homecoming Week.
The goal of traditions is to create unified appreciation of the university from freshmen to alumni.
“I think it’s important because it is a tradition,” said Fernandez. “I think it allows everyone to gather, alumni, current students. It’s a time everyone gets together. It has a lot of school spirit most importantly, I think that’s why it’s important. It allows everyone to be together and really appreciate Southeastern.”
When students come together and vote for nominees for King and Queen, they are choosing their representatives for the week. The court divided up the events for the week in order for there to be a representative at each event.
“I think it’s important to have Homecoming Court because these are people that the students chose to represent them,” said Fernandez. “I think it’s important to have those student representatives around.”
The previous Homecoming King and Queen, as well as the current court, got involved so that they could represent their organizations and get more involved.
“I wanted to run for Homecoming Court so I could make a difference on campus and also I had been involved with other organizations and have done stuff on campus,” said previous Homecoming Queen Si-Arah McCray.
The events planned during Homecoming allowed students to get connected and have a fun break no matter what day it is.
“Homecoming is a really big thing, it’s a great way to get in touch with your fellow students,” said McCray. “It’s a great way to just fellowship and get in contact with everybody. Also, It’s fun. I mean, It’s like a break away from school. It’s an event almost every day for students.”
The previous Homecoming King Diontae Cannon decided to run for court to get more involved.
“I always wanted to do it from my freshman year,” said Cannon. “I thought it would be a good opportunity, me being a senior, to just end it off on a good note with being involved on campus.”
Traditions of Homecoming, like court, are important to keep alive.
“Everybody that’s been to Southeastern, we have a tradition to upkeep,” said Cannon. “I’m actually excited to see who wins King and Queen.”