by Christi Mathis
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Seven women and three men are vying for royal honors at this year’s Homecoming celebration at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
The top two vote-getters will be named Homecoming royalty, and coronation will take place at halftime of the Oct. 21 football game between the Salukis and South Dakota State Jackrabbits. Game time is 2 p.m.
Online student voting is from 8 a.m. Oct. 17 to noon Oct. 19. The court of 10 students will participate in the homecoming parade and other activities.
The candidates
The 2023 royalty candidates, listed by hometown, include:
Illinois
Beardstown
- Jonathan Montoya – a senior nursingand health care management major. He said he strives to be a representative of and advocate for the campus Latinx community, helping bring about positive change, inclusivity, growth and development.
Chicago
- Pearl Williams – a senior fashion studies majorwith specialization in merchandising and minor in marketing. She has also served as public relations chair and vice president of new member education for Sigma Kappa sorority, is co-president of the Fashion Club and has worked for two years at SIU’s Rainbow’s End.
Edwardsville
- Quierra Love – a senior biologymajor with a chemistry minor. Love said she is one of the shortest Division I basketball players in the NCAA and proof that if she can succeed, others can too, so she strives to inspire others to be fearless, confident and empowered. She said diversity and inclusivity are essential to her as is making everyone feel welcomed, comfortable in their skin and embracing uniqueness.
Harvey
- Olufemi Terebo – a senior exercise science majorwith the goal of being a physical therapist. Terebo said driving five hours away for college was exciting and terrifying with a tinge of worry and that SIU is helping him learn to step outside his comfort zone, both in and out of the classroom.
Kankakee
- Ava Hasse – a junior nursing majorwith a health care management minor. Haase is a Chancellor’s Scholar and said she strives to be well-rounded, academically successful, inspiring others to be their best selves and goal oriented.
Princeville
- Dean Dearing – a senior finance major. Dearing said his goal in joining the court is to create a sense of unity and belonging, represent diverse voices and student body goals, celebrate individuality and inspire peers to have the Dawg mentality while bringing everyone closer together.
Salem
- Raygen Parker – a senior criminology and criminal justice majorwith minors in American Sign Language, social justice and sociology. Parker is a first-generation college student and first-generation Greek, as a member of Delta Zeta sorority and president of the College Panhellenic Association. She said SIU has pushed her to grow as an individual, student and leader and she’s seeking a court position to serve as a role model for others.
Sugar Grove
- Katelyn Schultz – a senior hospitality, tourism and event management major. She has been active in various organizations, including the American Marketing Association, as fundraising chair for the SIUC Equestrian Team, Saluki Event Planners, Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance as well as being involved in volunteer work. She said she’s academically successful, well-rounded, a leader and goal oriented.
Indiana
Indianapolis
- Jessica White – a senior exercise science major. White said she wants to encourage more students to get involved in activities on campus and step outside their comfort zones, trying new things.
Wisconsin
Fond Du Lac
- Emily Bakri – a senior political science majorwith a focus on pre-law. She was interested in becoming part of the court to meet more Salukis, get more involved on campus, create new memories and add another layer to her campus involvement.
SIU’s “Salukis in Paradise” Homecoming 2023 celebration runs Oct. 16-21 and features a wide variety of activities for all ages and interests. Find the complete event schedule and more information online.