A reception was held to honor the members of the 2011 Homecoming Court on Monday, Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. at the Alumni Center on North Campus.
According to William Takewell, Chief Justice of the SGA and Co-Chairman for Homecoming, the homecoming court reception is the first formal presentation of the homecoming court. It gives the court members the opportunity to invite their families to come and see them being presented.
Twelve of the fourteen students on the court attended the event: Jacy Carpenter, Jordan Leggett, Tivonsheia Broussard, Shannon Grover, Keturah Green, Edson Pierre, Grace Gilbreath, Kragen Lewis, Erika Payton, Casey Thomas, Ashley Gjertsen and Jeremy Miller. Heather Hand and M. J. Ahmad were unable to attend due to academic and athletic commitments.
At the beginning of the reception, last year’s Homecoming King Christopher Mckinley and Queen Jenee Ratelle began the procession of couples into the room.
“It just meant the world to me,” said Ratelle. “I absolutely love Southeastern and just spent so much time joining organizations and I was very involved on campus and showed my Lion Pride all the time, so winning last year was such a blessing and it helps me to show how much I truly care about this school.”
After each member of the court was formally introduced and a brief description about them was announced, they were free to socialize with their families and others in attendance.
“It’s truly an honor for me to be on homecoming court this year,” said Jordan Leggett. “I am just so happy to be able to represent the music students and my fraternity brothers and all of Southeastern.”
Leggett, a junior vocal performance major, said that he is excited to participate in the lip syncing competition later this week and also looks forward to riding in a convertible with his partner Jacy Carpenter for the parade on Saturday.
Keturah Green, a senior majoring in organizational communication, said that it means everything to her having her parents attend the reception.
“I feel it’s an amazing experience and a great privilege to have my parents here,” said Green. “They support me in everything that I do, and also, they’ve been married 35 years. It’s a great example and their leadership means everything to me.”
The 2011 Homecoming Court members will be attended and participating in many events over the next week. They will be riding around campus in the parade on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. The King and Queen will be crowned during halftime at the game against Sam Houston State University, which starts at 3:30 p.m.