Heather Wolf
coordinator of Student Activities, Nebraskan Student Union, 308.865.839
UNK– The University of Nebraska at Kearney today announced the names of 28 royalty candidates for Homecoming 2010, Sept. 30-Oct.2, on the campus.
Homecoming royalty will be crowned Thursday, Sept. 30, after the Lip Sync contest, which begins at 7 p.m., in the UNK Health and Sports Center.
There are 14 Queen candidates and 14 King candidates. Candidates are listed below, alphabetically by hometown, with Homecoming Queen candidates listed first followed by Homecoming King candidates.
QUEEN CANDIDATES:
Emily Moore, a junior from Alliance, is majoring in interior design with a minor in French. She is a community adviser in Martin Hall, secretary/treasurer of Community Advisory Council, president-elect of Student Interior Design Organization, and an active member of Loper Legion and UNK Intramurals.
Amanda Simmons, a senior from Aurora, is majoring in elementary and early childhood education with a minor in dance. She is the president of Gamma Phi Beta, a member of Mortar Board and SEAN for elementary education majors. She was also a member of the UNK Sapphire Dance team.
Leah Nelson, a junior from Byron, is majoring in visual communications and design. She is a Thompson Scholar, and a member of UNK Honors Program, Phi Eta Sigma, NRHH, AIGA, Christian Student Fellowship and a community adviser in Centennial Towers West.
Alie Brabec, a junior from Clarkson, is majoring in art and special education. She is a member of the Thompson Scholars Learning Community and is the vice president of the NAEA chapter on campus.
Emmalena Kelly, a senior from Falls City, is majoring in exercise science. She is a member of the UNK women’s soccer team, Alpha Omicron Pi, ROTC, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the UNK Honors Program and the Nebraska National Guard.
Paloma Mena-Werth, a junior from Kearney, is majoring in music education. She is serving on her second term as chair of student affairs on the Student Senate, and has been involved with the UNK Student Senate for the past three years. She is involved in the UNK Pride of the Plains marching band, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Women’s Chorus. She is a member of Phi Eta Sigma, the Student Bulletin Advisory Committee and an envoy at the Nebraskan Student Union Welcome Desk.
Allie Nightingale, a senior from Kearney, is majoring in elementary education. She is the president of Alpha Phi, and a member of the education club SEAN, Order of Omega and Mortar Board. She volunteers with Buddy Bowling, the ARC of Buffalo County, Kidz Explore and St. Jude’s Up ‘Til Dawn. She is currently employed at the office of Residential and Greek Life as an office associate, and at BIOMET out of Omaha.
Meagan Doyle, a junior from McCook, is majoring in business administration with an emphasis in accounting/pre-pharmacy. She is a community adviser in Antelope Hall, vice-president of the Chemistry Club, first-year representative in Community Advisory Council, the UNK Honors Program, LPAC, Health Science Club and the UNK Rotaract.
Rowan Beck, a senior from Mills, is majoring in social work. She is involved in Overflow, Christian Student Fellowship Missions Team, Loper Liaisons president, UNK Honors Program, and she is a Chancellor’s Ambassador. She works for the Office of Admissions, and has served on the Summer Advising and Enrollment leadership team for two summers. She is a member of Kappa Delta Pi and Campus Roots.
Michelle Hermesch, a senior from Plymouth, is majoring in exercise science with a minor in health science. She is the Chancellor’s Ambassadors coordinator, executive director of the St. Jude’s Up ‘Til Dawn executive board, secretary of Mortar Board, senior adviser for Phi Eta Sigma, and a Summer Advising and Enrollment student leader. She is also involved in the UNK Honors Program, Health Science Club, Loper Liaisons and the Gold Torch Society. She has been a community adviser for URN, a Student Diplomat, and a member of the UNK Track and Field team. She will graduate in May and plans to continue her education to become a physician assistant.
Laura McAtee, senior from Wahoo, is majoring in English and philosophy. She has participated in a wide array of UNK events from playing on intramural teams to attending the Reynolds poetry readings. She received an award for the Outstanding Essay for the 2010 English Department Conference. Her plans to do graduate work. Last year, she was the president of the Antelope Nester Complex. Currently, she serves as a community adviser in Centennial Towers East.
COLORADO
Brush- Reesa Larson, a senior from Brush, Colo., is majoring in elementary education. She is in the UNK Honors Program and is a community adviser in Men’s Hall.
INTERNATIONAL
Yao Zheng, a senior from Shanghai, China, is majoring in business administration. She is currently assistant director in Nester North, a Chancellor’s Ambassador, International Student Recruitment Ambassador, chair person of iCARE, student adviser for Chinese Students and Scholars Association, vice president of Phi Eta Sigma and vice president of Beta Alpha Psi.
Camila Parra, senior from Bogota, Colombia, is majoring in international studies and economics. She is vice president of the International Student Association and a member of Phi Beta Delta, the international honor society for international scholars.
KING CANDIDATES:
Troy Ehmke, a senior from Beatrice, is majoring in music education. He holds the lead saxophone chair in the Jazz/Rock Ensemble and is the drum major for the UNK Pride of the Plains marching band. He is the vice president of Kappa Kappa Psi, an international band fraternity.
Dusty Birge, a senior from Benkelman, is majoring in industrial distribution. He is active in Sigma Phi Epsilon, the Industrial Distribution Organization, Loper Liaisons, UNK Intramurals, Epsilon Pi Tau and the Kearney Community Friends Program. He has earned the following honors: Sigma Phi Epsilon Honor Roll, Sigma Phi Epsilon freshman president and Deans’ List. He is the secretary/treasurer for the Inter-Fraternity Council and is president of the Industrial Distribution Organization.
Joe Jasper, a junior from Columbus, is majoring in business administration with an emphasis in both accounting and finance. He is a Thompson Scholar as well as a Thompson Scholar Learning Community mentor. He is a member of Phi Gamma Delta and actively participates in intramurals.
Ben Clancy, a senior from Dawson, is majoring in psychology. He is a community adviser in Centennial Towers East, a member of the UNK Honors Program, Phi Gamma Delta and Sigma Xi, the scientific research society.
Blaine Drozd, a senior from Genoa, is majoring in recreational management. He is a member of the UNK Honors Program, UNK Pride of the Plains marching band, Loper Programming and Activities Council, Residence Hall Association, Lions Club International, Sons of the American Legion and Boy Scouts of America. He is one of the founders of the Nu Kappa Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta and a National Residence Hall honor society.
Vance Herbeck, a senior from Hastings, is majoring in exercise science. He works for the UNK Office of Residential and Greek Life as a community adviser in Centennial Towers West. He is heavily involved in Loper Legion, intramurals, and is an intern on the UNK Strength and Conditioning Staff.
John Lawless, a junior from Imperial, is majoring in business administration-finance with a minor in political science. He serves as student body vice president, is a member of Phi Gamma Delta International Fraternity, and is an active member of SIFE, Loper Liaisons and Mantor Hall Community Assembly. In addition, Lawless serves as a Chancellor’s Ambassador.
Andy Greer, a senior from Kearney, is majoring in sports administration and broadcasting. He is a Student Diplomat and was a SAE student leader. He works for the Office of Admissions as a Loper Liaison. He is involved in Sigma Phi Epsilon.
Matthew Jensen, a junior from Kearney, is majoring in chemistry with an emphasis in molecular biology. He is a member of Phi Gamma Delta, Student Senate, the Choraleers, UNK Vocal Collegium and the Newman Center. He is secretary/treasurer for Mantor Hall and the National Residence Hall Honor Society.
Mathew Day, a senior from Loup City, is majoring in biology with a minor in Spanish.
Travis Kirchner, a junior from Ogallala, is majoring in molecular biology with a minor in Spanish in the hopes of a career as a doctor. He is on the UNK Cross Country and Track teams as well as a cadet in the ROTC program at UNK.
Bryan Frost, a senior from Overton, is majoring in interior design. He is the assistant hall director for Conrad Hall, a member of Multicultural Affairs, the president of Student Interior Design Organization, and cofounder and chair of the Queer Straight Alliance.
Paul Knutson, a senior from Schuyler, is majoring in business administration with an emphasis in accounting. He is a member of Phi Kappa Alpha, student government, Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), Beta Alpha Psi, Student Diplomat, Loper Liaisons, Chancellor’s Ambassador and is on the Deans’ List.
INTERNATIONAL
Ayush Uprety, a senior from Kathmandu, Nepal, is a double major in finance and economics. He has been a community adviser in Centennial Towers East for three years and was also a Chancellor’s Ambassador. He currently serves as the chair of Financial Leaders Association and is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma honor society.
