SIU 2018 Homecoming court elections underway

October 15, 2018

SIU 2018 Homecoming court elections underway

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale students are now voting for their 2018 homecoming king and queen.

Five women and three men are vying in online voting through 8 a.m. Oct. 18 for the right to wear the crowns. “Saluki Gras: From Bourbon Street to Saluki Way” is the theme of this year’s celebration, set for Oct. 15-20.

Coronation during homecoming game

Contestants will ride in the parade through the streets of Carbondale at 10 a.m. on Oct. 20. The coronation will take place at halftime of the 2 p.m. football game that afternoon as the Salukis battle the Indiana State University Sycamores. SIU alumnus and Noblesville, Indiana, teacher hero Jason Seaman is the homecoming grand marshal.

Five competing to become queen

The 2018 SIU homecoming queen candidates, in alphabetical order with their year, hometown and major, are:

Alaysia Brandy, a junior biological sciences/pre-medicine major with double minor in chemistry and Spanish from Chicago.
Taylor Dunning, a senior music education from Carterville.
Krista Russell, a senior agricultural systems and education major with agriculture education specialization from Jerseyville.
Mykhal Suide, a senior communication studies major with criminology and criminal justice minor from Dolton.
Gabriel Wrye, a senior agriculture education major from Belknap.

Three campaigning for king

This year’s king candidates are:

Jarvaus Burks, a junior sports administration major with coaching and political science minors from Chicago.
William Mesch, a sophomore communications major from Paxton.
Toussaint Mitchell, a junior cinema and photography major with theater minor from Aurora.

Homecoming 2018 also features a campus/community block party, tailgating and much more. The complete schedule of events and additional information is available online.