coordinator of student activities at the Nebraskan Student Union, 308.865.8523
University of Nebraska at Kearney homecoming royalty candidates were announced today.
The 2007 Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned Thursday, Oct. 4, after the Lip Sync contest, which begins at 7 p.m. in the UNK Health and Sports Center. Preliminary voting took place last month, and final voting is currently underway.
Candidates are listed below, alphabetically by hometown, with Homecoming Queen candidates listed first followed by Homecoming King candidates.
Queen Candidates:
Keisha Anderson is the daughter of Jim Anderson and Julie Smith of Central City. She represents Stout Hall. She is a junior majoring in Middle Level Education with endorsements in mathematics and natural sciences. Keisha is involved in Chi Omega sorority, National Residence Hall Honorary, Kappa Delta Pi and the Resident Advisory Council. She helped found the Middle Level Educators Club and volunteers for Central Elementary and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Keisha is a member of the Honors Program and is on the Dean’s List. She a Resident Advisor and plans to teach 5th or 6th grade math in Arizona following graduation.
Kristan Barleen is the daughter of Gayle Rawlings of Kearney. She represents Alpha Omicron Pi. She is a senior majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing. Kristan is a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and has held the offices of vice president of academic development, executive recruitment committee and new member educator. She is a member of Loper Programming and Activities Council, Mortar Board and the National Honor Society. Kristan has also been involved in Student Government, Summer Advising and Enrollment, and the Student Success and Retention Committee. Kristan spent last semester at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas as part of the National Student Exchange program.
Kristen Brockman is the daughter of Jeff and Mary Jane Cartmill and the late Jerry Brockman of Omaha. She represents the Hispanic Student Association. Kristen is a junior majoring in Journalism Multimedia. She is active in the Office of Multicultural Affairs student organizations. She served as the Mistress of Ceremonies for Multicultural Scholars and Leaders Day. Kristen has assisted with the Cultural Unity Conference for the past two years, is a student resident at the Catholic Newman Center, and is a Student Diplomat for the Office of Admissions. Kristen was a 2006 UNK Student Online Journalist, is serving as a Scholarship Mentor for the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and is a member of Students in Mass Media.
Amber Davis is the daughter of Alan and Joy Davis of Sidney. She represents Randall Hall. She is a senior majoring in Chemistry with an emphasis in Molecular Biology. Amber is involved with the Honors Program, Campus Crusade for Christ and Mortar Board. Amber enjoys playing in a bell choir, playing sports and being a Resident Advisor in Randall Hall.
Kelsey Koch is the daughter of Tim and Janet Koch of Omaha. She represents Centennial Towers East. Kelsey is a junior majoring in Middle School Math and Science Education. She is a Resident Advisor in CTE and is President of the Resident Advisory Council. Kelsey is involved with Relay for Life, Middle Level Educators Club and the Newman Center.
Keli Margritz is the daughter of Pat and Sue Margritz of Lexington. She represents Conrad Hall. She is a junior majoring in Middle Level Education with an emphasis in Language Arts and Social Science. She is a Resident Advisor in Conrad Hall, and is the Secretary for Resident Advisory Council. She is a member of the Catholic Newman Center, the Middle Level Educators Club and Phi Eta Sigma. Keli is the co-advisor of Conrad Hall Council. She enjoys participating in Intramurals, cooking, movies and spending time with her family and friends.
Sara Moore is the daughter of Jim and Chris Moore of Central City. She represents Men’s Hall. She is a junior majoring in Criminal Justice and Social Work. Sara is involved in the Residence Hall Association, the MACURH delegation, Navigators and the FRIENDS program. She has worked for the Academic Advising Office and is currently a Resident Advisor in Men’s Hall. Sara plans to work in probation or parole following graduation.
Kerri Myers is the daughter of Craig and Ann Myers from Garden City, Kan. She represents Mortar Board. Kerri is a senior majoring in Math Education. She is the President of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and is the treasurer for Mortar Board. She is involved with Kappa Mu Epsilon and Delta Omicron. Kerri plays the oboe in the Kearney Symphony Orchestra.
Kristin Nielsen is the daughter of Don and Nila Nielson of Omaha. She represents Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She is a senior majoring in Speech Communication with minors in Women’s Studies and Political Science. Kristin is the President of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, and is the Chief Justice of Student Court, and is the Co-Chair of Iota Iota Iota. She is involved in the Order of Omega, Mortar Board, the Gold Torch Society, Lambda Pi Eta and Phi Eta Sigma. Kristin enjoys traveling to conferences, working and having fun.
Natalie Peterson is the daughter of John and Carolyn Peterson of Omaha. She represents Campus Crusade for Christ. She is a senior majoring in speech pathology. Natalie is a student director of Campus Crusade for Christ and is a member of the Kearney Student Speech, Language and Hearing Association. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering at the Kearney E-Free Church.
Jodi Phillips is the daughter of Glenn and Margie Phillips from Omaha. She represents Chi Omega sorority. She is a senior majoring in philosophy. Jodi is the Resident Adviser and Recruitment Chair for Chi Omega sorority. She is involved with the Panhellenic Council, Order of Omega, Campus Crusade for Christ and the Honors Program. She was a member of Summer Advising and Enrollment and gives campus tours. Jodi loves to read, sing, dance and spend time with her Chi Omega sisters.
Angela Reynolds is the daughter of Mick and Debra Reynolds of Wood River. She represents Student Government. She is a junior majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. Angela is the Secretary of Student Government, is President of Antelope Hall Council and Cornerstone UNK. She is a Chancellor’s Ambassador, a member of the Honors Program, Loper Programming and Activities Council, National Residence Hall Honorary and the Society for Human Resources Management. Angela’s honors include Beta Gamma Sigma, Rho Alpha Sigma and Phi Eta Sigma.
Taran Sanders is the daughter of Keith and Linnae Sanders of Bellevue. She represents Martin Hall. Taran is a senior majoring in History and Geography with coaching endorsements in softball and track. She is a resident assistant for Martin Hall and the Resident Advisor Council Vice President. She is involved with the Service Learning Community and Loper Programming Activities Council. Taran enjoys Intramurals, spending time with family and friends, and watching sports every weekend.
Kristi Scott is the daughter of Mark and Becky Scott of Belgrade. She represents Antelope Hall. She is a junior majoring in Family Studies. Kristi is a resident assistant for Antelope Hall, a Chancellor’s Ambassador, and a choir member of the Newman Center. Kristi is involved with RHO Alpha Sigma, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society and Intramurals.
Lea Schneider is the daughter of Mick and Cindy Schneider of Grand Island. She represents Alpha Pi. She is a senior majoring in pre-occupational therapy in the health/exercise science field. Lea is the president of Alpha Phi. She has been a Chancellor’s Ambassador and Student Enrollment Leader. Lea has been a member of the UNK track and field team, Order of Omega and the Panhellenic Council. She is actively involved with intramurals. Lea works as a behavioral therapist.
Emily Vencill is the daughter of Larry and Sharon Cordes of Grand Island and Scott and Angie Vencill of Castle Rock, Colo. She represents Mantor Hall. Emily is a junior majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management. She is a resident advisor in Mantor Hall, President of the National Residence Hall Honorary, and an Executive Board Member for the Residence Hall Association. She is a member of Phi Eta Sigma. Emily enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She plans to attend law school.
Deidra Younghans is the daughter of Bill and Barb Younghans from Hershey. She represents Centennial Towers West. Deirda is a junior majoring in Computer Science and Information Systems. Deidra is a resident assistant for Centennial Towers West and a member of the Resident Advisory Council. Deidra works in the theatre box office for the UNK theatre department. She enjoys dancing and performing, and she works in the theatre box office.
Homecoming King candidates:
Craig Beaman is the son of Doug and Cindy Beaman of Grand Island. He represents Randall Hall. Craig is a senior majoring in business. He is a Resident Advisor for Randall Hall and is also the Chairperson of Rho Alpha Sigma. He has served as a senator for Student Senate and also as the recruiting and publicity chair for Phi Beta Lambda. Craig enjoys playing Nintendo 64, Halo, and going for Daylight Donuts, and spending time with his friends.
James Blex is the son of Bill and Carol Schultz and Russ and Alice Blex from Syracuse. He represents Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He is a senior majoring in Social Science Teaching with a Field endorsement. James is a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Exec Board, an Intramural Student Assistant and a member of the English Language Institute.
Carl Corder is the son of Ed and Michelle Corder of Kearney. He represents Stout Hall. He is a junior majoring in Mathematics and Physics. Carl is a member of the Honors Program and has served as a tutor for the Center for Academic Success. Carl enjoys reading and helping others learn.
Nate Graham is the son of Joe and Joanne Graham of Parker, Colo. He represents Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Nate is a senior majoring in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. He has been involved in Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and has held the position of internal vice president. After graduation, Nate plans to pursue a career in sales with Apex systems as a technical recruiter.
Christopher Jackson Hennessy is the son of Terry and Linnea Hennessy from North Platte. He represents Campus Crusade for Christ. Christopher is a senior majoring in Geography and History. He is a member of the UNK Cross Country and Track team is actively involved in Campus Crusade for Christ. He enjoys sports, hiking, biking and swimming.
Eric Holmes is the son of Randy and Janelle Holmes of Grand Island. He represents Mantor Hall. He is a junior majoring in Elementary Education with an emphasis in Coaching and Special Education. Eric is a Resident Advisor for Mantor Hall. He participates in Mantor Hall Council, is a Student Assistant for Intramurals, and a member of the Elementary Education Club. He was a senator for the College of Education in Student Senate. Eric hopes to teach grades 3,4, and 5 upon graduation.
Timothy Hruza is the son of Dennis and Laurie Hruza from Ord. He represents Centennial Towers West. Timothy is a junior majoring in Political Science and Economics. He is a member of the Honors Program, and is the student Senator for the College of Natural and Social Sciences. Timothy is a Resident Advisor in CTW, and a member of the University Judicial Board. He is also a member of the General Studies Council, a member of Phi Eta Sigma, a former member of the Student Court and is the Treasurer for the Locke and Key Society.
Wade Jarvi is the son of Keith and Mary Jarvi of Wayne. He represents Antelope Hall. Wade is a junior majoring in Accounting. He is involved in the Antelope Hall Executive Board, the Accounting Society and the Intramural Council. He is also a member of Phi Eta Sigma and the Honors Program. Wade enjoys participating in Intramural sports, running, going to concerts and spending time with his family and friends.
Kylor Neville is the son of Keith and Joya Neville of Benkelmen. He represents Men’s Hall. Kylor is a junior majoring in Business Administration. He enjoys hunting, fishing, socializing and learning about different cultures. Kylor also loves to show his school spirit by participating in the UNK sponsored events.
Criss Salinas is the son of Cristobal and Josefina Salinas of Schuyler. He represents Student Government. Criss is a junior majoring in Spanish Education with an emphasis in ELL. He is the Director of Student Organization and Affairs with the Student Government, a Chancellor’s Ambassador, and is the Recruitment Chair for Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity. Criss is also an academic mentor for Student Support Services, has served as the Vice President for the Hispanic Student Association. He was the co-chair for the Nebraska Cultural Unity Conference and was a Student Leader for Summer Advising and Enrollment in 2007. Criss enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Doug Smith is the son of Russ and Marcia Smith of Elkhorn. He represents Alpha Tau Omega/University Residence South-B. Doug is a senior majoring in Criminal Justice. He is the Vice President of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity and is the President of the Interfraternity Council. Doug has been involved in URS-B Hall Council as well as many other campus organizations. He is currently employed at Sunmart Foods and the Youth Rehabilitation Treatment Center. He loves watching sports and plans to attend graduate school.
Joe Szczepaniak is the son of Joe and Carol Szczepaniak of Omaha. He represents Martin Hall. He is a senior majoring in Visual Communication and Design. Joe is a Resident Advisor in Mantor Hall and has been active in the Resident Hall Association, Student Government, the American Institute of Graphic Arts and in various hall councils. Joes likes to spend time with his girlfriend, Jessica, and his residents.
