October 19, 2015

Students can vote for homecoming royalty this week

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University Carbondale will soon be celebrating Homecoming 2015 and the festivities include the election of homecoming royalty. 

Saluki candidates for queen include:

  • Brittany Hardaway, a senior radio, television and broadcasting major with a minor in public relations, from Chicago
  • Madison Harvey, a senior mortuary science and funeral service major, from Tampa, Fla.
  • Taylor Johnson, a senior radio, television and broadcasting major with a minor in public relations, from Peoria
  • Sarah Scranton, a senior from Mt. Zion with a double major in special education and elementary education
  • Magan Snowden, a senior psychology major from Zion 

The 2015 king candidates are:

  • Mustafa “MJ” Abdullah Jr., a senior business marketing major from North Chicago
  • Kevin Jovanovic, a senior marketing major from Minooka
  • Taylor Phoumivong, a graduate student from Fort Smith, Ark., seeking his master’s degree in higher education administration
  • Allen Shelton, a senior communications studies major with a minor in journalism, from Hazelcrest
  • Daniel Suess, a senior from Greenville with a double major in agribusiness economics and economics

The retiring queen and king are Shantel Franklin of Chicago and Kendall Crayton of Peoria. 

Students can vote online for the new king and queen today (Oct. 19) through 8 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22.  The candidates will participate in a variety of events throughout the week including a pep rally, interviews and the parade. The new queen and king will receive their crowns during halftime of the homecoming football game against Youngstown State beginning at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24.  

In addition, halftime activities will include the presentation of the overall winner award from the homecoming parade by Dylaan Bibbs, homecoming director. And, the winner of the inaugural Spirit Competition for registered student organizations will receive a trophy and $400. 

“Respect the Royalty” is the theme for the 2015 homecoming. Find the complete schedule of events at www.homecoming.siu.edu.