The Homecoming court was announced to a waiting crowd on Wednesday, Oct. 5, inside the Student Union Ballroom by Student Government Association (SGA) Chief Justice William Takewell.

The SGA tallied over 1,900 votes for the 2012 Homecoming court election, which ended at 5 p.m. that same day, according to Beth Richardson, assistant director of the Office for Student Engagement.  The crowd that gathered for the announcement cheered as the list of those voted to the court was read.

The 14 voted to the court were: Edson Pierre, Shannon Grover, Jordan Leggett, Kragen Lewis, Grace Gilbreath, Jacy Carpenter, Casey Thomas, M.J. Ahmad, Keturah Green, Erika Payton, Heather Hand, Jeremey Miller, Tivonsheia Broussard and Ashley Gjertsen.

“I feel it’s an honor to be nominated a second time this year, especially since I didn’t have a specific organization representing me,” said Green, a senior organizational communication major.  “It shows that our school is diverse and, with hard work, anybody can make it on court.”

Other candidates were thankful for the votes they received and were proud to represent Southeastern on the Homecoming court.

“I’m very honored to be on court again,” said Thomas, a senior kinesiology/exercise science major.  “I love this school so much and I want to thank everyone for voting, I really appreciate this.”

Some were surprised by their selection, yet grateful for the honor of being chosen for the court.

“I am really shocked,” said Hand, sophomore music major. “It makes me really happy to know that everyone took the time out of their day to vote. It makes me really excited and very proud.”

The 2011 Homecoming king and queen will be chosen during a halftime ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 5 when the Lions take on Sam Houston State at 7 p.m. in Strawberry Stadium.