HOMECOMING ROYALTY FINALISTS ANNOUNCED AT UNK

Jami Schaffnitt
coordinator of student activities at the Nebraskan Student Union, 308.865.8523
 

Finalists for homecoming royalty at the University of Nebraska at Kearney have been announced on the campus.

The 2006 Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned Thursday, Oct. 26, after the Lip Sync contest, which begins at 7 p.m. in the UNK Health and Sports Center.

Preliminary voting took place last week, and final voting is currently underway. 

Finalists and the entire slate of candidates for the 2005 homecoming royalty are listed below, alphabetically by hometown, with Homecoming Queen candidates listed first followed by Homecoming King candidates.

Queen Finalists
Amber Nabity  is the daughter of Jean and Fred Nabity of Lincoln . She represents Campus Crusade for Christ. Amber is a junior majoring in math and history secondary education. She is a Chancellor’s Ambassador, president of the Residence Hall Association, and is involved in the Honor’s program and the National Residence Hall honor society. Amber is currently serving as emcee of Fusion and is a Real Life Group Leader for Campus Crusade for Christ.

Michelle Thoene  is the daughter of Bob and Laureen Thoene of Wynot andBow Valley . She represents Randall Hall. Michelle is a junior majoring in elementary education, special education and early childhood unified. She is a Loper Programming and Activities Council officer, a resident assistant for Randall Hall, and is involved in the Elementary Education Club, Rho Alpha Sigma, which is the resident assistant honor society, and the National Residence Hall honor society. Michelle enjoys the arts and football.

Sarah Marshall is the daughter of Art and Kristi Marshall of Elm Creek. She represents the Chi Omega sorority. Sarah is a senior majoring in chemistry with an emphasis in molecular biology. She is the assistant hall director of Centennial Towers East and is involved in the Honors Program, National Residence Hall honor society, Phi Eta Sigma, Mortar Board, and Gold Torch Society. Sarah is also a scholar of IDEA Networks of BioMedical Research Excellence (BRIN).

Stacey Jegel is the daughter of Joe and Ann Jegel of Topeka, Kan.  She represents Mantor Hall. Stacey is a junior majoring in elementary education and early childhood unified. She is a resident assistant in Mantor Hall, a student diplomat for the Office of Admissions, the president of Loper Programming and Activities Council and the vice president of the Elementary Education Club. Her achievements include being on the Dean’s List and a member of the National Residence Hall honor society and Rho Alpha Sigma, which is the resident assistant honor society. Stacey enjoys playing and watching sports, the outdoors, and spending time with friends and family.

King Finalists
Burty Macwan is the son of Vijay and Ruby Macwan of Ahmedabad, India. He represents Centennial Towers East. Burty is a senior majoring in pre-nursing. He is the president of the International Student Association, a peer health educator and a resident assistant in Centennial Towers East. Burty likes to make new friends and dreams of traveling around the world.

Harry Ngondo is the son of Harry and Joyce Ngondo of Blantyre, Malawi.  He represents Men’s Hall. Harry is a senior majoring in computer information systems with a telecommunications minor. He is a resident assistant for Men’s Hall, a member of the International Student Association, the Association of Computing Machinery, a peer tutor for computer science and a peer-health tutor. Harry enjoys soccer and pool.  

Joel Hochstein is the son of Kristi Hochstein of Hartington. He represents Mantor Hall. Joel is a junior majoring in secondary social science education. He is currently a resident assistant for Mantor Hall and has been involved in the Student Education Association of Nebraska, Colleges Against Cancer, and the National Residence Hall honor society. Joel enjoys being a part of on-campus activities, traveling, being outdoors, camping, watching movies, spending time with his family and watching the Lopers.

Kyle Bowers is the son of Rod and Deb Bowers of Sidney. He represents Centennial Towers West. Kyle is a senior majoring in exercise and sports science with a minor in biology. He is a resident assistant, a Student senator for the College of Education as well as the Facilities Committee chair, a member of the National Residence Hall honor society, Rho Alpha Sigma, and an adviser for Centennial Tower’s West hall council. He is also a cofounder of the Loper Legion, a group to bolster campus and community pride for UNK athletics.

Robert Daro is the son of Russ and Loretta Daro of David City. He represents Randall Hall. Robert is a junior majoring in chemistry. He is a resident assistant in Randall Hall, a Student senator, a Biomedical Research Excellence (BRIN) scholar,  and he is involved in Intramurals. Robert enjoys listening to live music, spending time with friends in his free time and helps coach little league football at the YMCA.

PRELIMINARY ROUND HOMECOMING CANDIDATES ARE LISTED BELOW.

2006 Homecoming Queen Candidates
Annastashia Malcolm is the daughter of Rick and Nancy Malcolm of Pine Bluffs, Wyo.  She represents Stout Hall. Annastashia is a junior majoring in psychology with a minor in theatre. She is a member of the Iota Zeta Chapter of the Chi Omega sorority, a resident assistant in Stout Hall, president of the Honors Student Advisory Board, president of the Resident Assistant Council and serves on the Diversity committee for Residential and Greek Life. Her other organizations and activities include Psi Chi, Phi Eta Sigma, Calvin T. Ryan Library Circulation assistant and music ministry at the UNK Newman Center. Annastashia enjoys reading, creative writing, being outdoors, using her private pilot’s license and spending time with her family.

Bryna Dixon is the daughter of Cal and Dee Dixon of Gering. She represents the Health Science Club. Bryna is a senior majoring in biology comprehensive with an environmental health emphasis. She is a resident assistant in Martin Hall, the secretary and chair for publicity for the Health Science Club, and a member of Martin Hall Council and Phi Eta Sigma. Bryna is also involved in intramural soccer and broomball.

Joni Cassidy is the daughter of David and Shelly Cassidy of Fairmont. She represents the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. Joni is a senior majoring in industrial distribution. She is a former resident assistant for University Residence North, a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, where she has served as financial vice president on the executive council. Joni is also involved in the Honors Program, Mortar Board, Epsilon Pi Tau honor society, the Industrial Distribution Organization and Intramurals.

Mizuna Matsuda is the daughter of Naoko Matsuda of Toyama, Japan. She represents the International Student Association. Mizuna is a junior majoring in organizational communications. She is a member of the International Student Association and secretary for Phi Beta Delta, which is the international honor society. She enjoys spending time with friends, reading and traveling.

Nancy Michalski is the daughter of Galen and Sharon Michalski of Ord. She represents Centennial Towers East. Nancy is a junior majoring in recreation management. She is the president of the National Residence Hall honor society, and is a member of the Service Learning Community, Recreation Majors Club and a resident assistant in Centennial Towers East. Nancy has also been on the Dean’s List.

Siobhan Duffy is the daughter of Kevin and Mary Duffy of Omaha. She represents the Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. Siobhan is a senior majoring in organizational communications with a minor in public relations. She is involved in Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, Greeks Advocating the Mature Management of Alcohol (GAMMA), Student Alumni Foundation, Students in Mass Media (SIMM), and the Honors Program. Siobhan also works at the Welcome Desk in the Student Union and is a student peer leader in the First Year Experience Program.

Suzanne Bochman is the daughter of Fred and JoAnn Bochman of Red Oak, Iowa. She represents Centennial Towers West. Suzanne is a senior majoring in music business and recreation park management. She is a member of the Choraleers, American Legion Auxiliary, Mortar Board, Recreation Club, Loper Legion and a resident assistant. Suzanne also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and the UNK Buddy System.

Taran Sanders is the daughter of Keith and Linnae Sanders of Bellevue. She represents Martin Hall. Taran is a junior majoring in secondary education history and geography. She is a resident assistant in Martin Hall, a member of Loper Programming and Activities Council, the Service Learning Community, the Resident Assistant Council and a participant in broomball and hockey intramural sports. Taran enjoys being outside, playing sports, and spending time with friends and family.

Kylee Gardner is the daughter of Tim and Jean Gardner of York. She represents student government.  Kylee is a junior majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry.  She is involved in the Honors Program and is a senator for the College of Natural and Social Sciences.  She is a member of Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Omicron Pi and is a scholar of the IDEA networks of Biomedical Research Excellence program.

2006 Homecoming King Candidates  
Andy Craig is the son of Dave and Jane Craig of Minden. He represents the Health Science Club. Andy is a senior majoring in exercise science with a minor in biology. He is president of the Health Science Club, a Chancellor’s Ambassador, and he is also involved with Intramurals. Andy’s interests include medicine, drumming, aviation, and spending time with friends and family.

Brandon Bohn is the son of Lonnie and Marilyn Bohn of Ravenna . He represents student government. Brandon is a junior majoring in pre-pharmacy with a minor in music. He is the chief of staff for the president’s cabinet for student government. Brandon is also a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Eta Sigma, the marching band and the UNK Jazz/Rock Ensemble.

Brian Kimmins of Monroe, N.Y. , is the son of Greg and Dayna Kimmins and Richard and Laura Wardyn. He represents Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Brian is a senior majoring in telecommunications management. He is the president of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and has served as the secretary/treasurer for Greeks Advocating the Mature Management of Alcohol (GAMMA), and the secretary/treasurer for the Telecommunications Networking Organization. Brian is a member of the Marine Corps and will be commissioned as a second lieutenant after graduation. He enjoys hunting, paint-balling, sports and Chevy trucks.

Doug Smith is the son of Russ and Marcia Smith of Elkhorn. He represents University Residence South. Doug is a junior majoring in criminal justice and business administration. He is the University Residence South Hall Council president, and he has also served as the Interfraternity Council scholarship chair and the Alpha Tau Omega director of recruitment. Doug enjoys watching football, basketball and baseball.

Happy Macwan is the son of Vijay and Ruby Macwan of Ahmedabad, India. He represents the International Student Association. Happy is a junior majoring in advertising. He is involved in Students in Mass Media (SIMM), the Ad/PR Club, and is the representative of the International Student Association for student government. Happy enjoys reading fiction and nonfiction by Indian and other popular authors, surfing the Internet, socializing with fellow students, listening to fusion music and making people happy.

Horacio Alvarez-Ramirez is the son of Felipe and Elisa Alvarez-Ramirez of Lexington. He represents Martin Hall. Horacio is a junior majoring in chemistry. He is a resident assistant in Martin Hall, a member of Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity, and a member of the Hispanic Student Association. Horacio plans to attend UNMC in the fall of 2008. He enjoys cooking, being outdoors, traveling with family and friends, and poetry.

Jason Hoemann is the son of Bonnie Hoemann of Omaha. He represents Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Jason is a senior majoring in K-12 physical education. He is the Delta Tau Delta vice president, the former Interfraternity Council new member educator, and he is also involved in the football, basketball and softball intramural sports.

Scott Vincent is the son of Craig and Patti Vincent of York. He represents Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Scott is a senior majoring in chemistry with a minor in business sales. He is a member of Mortar Board, Order of Omega, the UNK Jazz/Rock Ensemble and an executive board member on the Interfraternity Council.

Wes Pendergrass is the son of Neal and Devona Pendergrass of Mountain Home, Ark.  He represents Conrad Hall. Wes is a junior majoring in tuba performance. He has performed with the Hastings and Mozark symphony orchestras, and he has been a featured soloist on PBS. Wes is currently a member of the UNK marching band and an executive member of the Loper Legion. He is an avid cyclist and a philanthropist for various abuse victim organizations.