October 23, 2018
SIU Homecoming winners announced
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Alaysia Brandy and Toussaint Mitchell were chosen as queen and king of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Homecoming 2018, a weeklong event that drew large crowds for a wide variety of events.
Brandy, of Chicago, is a junior biological sciences/pre-medicine major with a double minor in chemistry and Spanish. Mitchell, of Aurora, is a junior cinema and photography major with a theater minor. Nearly 1,450 students participated in the online voting throughout the week.
The court also included:
- Taylor Dunning, a senior music education major 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.
- Jarvaus Burks, a junior sports administration major with coaching and political science minors from Chicago.
- William Mesch, a junior communications major from Paxton.
Noblesville hero returns to alma mater as grand marshal
Serving as the grand marshal of Homecoming 2018 was Jason Seaman, the SIU and Saluki football alumnus who sprang into action and took three bullets while tackling a shooter in his Noblesville, Indiana, classroom and saving his students’ lives. Joining him in the parade through downtown Carbondale were about 90 marching bands, floats and other units.
Also featured in the parade on a picture-perfect day were the Southern Illinois High School Spirit Crew, a group of 48 spirited high school students nominated by guidance counselors at 24 high schools around the region for the honor in recognition of their academic achievements, leadership and involvement. The students marched in the parade with SIU’s Student Alumni Council, enjoyed a catered lunch and attended the football game.
Parade winners announced
Alpha Gamma Rho and Delta Phi Epsilon won the top overall prize for large float in the parade while the Automotive Technology Organization took the best small parade float title.
Winners of the marching band competition were:
Class A – 1. Carbondale Community High School; 2. Harrisburg High School.
Class B – 1. Trico Junior/Senior High School; 2. Goreville Junior/Senior High School.
Class C – 2. Sparta Lincoln School; 2. Murphysboro Middle School.
Judging was by Phil Anton, associate professor and program director for exercise science/interim chair, of SIU’s kinesiology degree program; Jeff Doherty of the Carbondale City Council; Brione Lockett, SIU student trustee; and Allison Niendiek, member of the SIU Alumni Association board of directors.
Additional homecoming winners named
Several other competitions were held during homecoming week and the winners of those events include:
- Spirit Competition – with eight teams encompassing 15 student organizations vying for a trophy and cash prize, the top group in the large division was the Alpha Gamma Rho and Delta Phi Epsilon team. The Kappa Alpha Order claimed the top spot in the small bracket.
- Recreational Sports and Services dodgeball tournament – Kappa Alpha Order won first place; Delta Phi Epsilon and Alpha Gamma Rho took top honors in the costume contest.
- Banner Competition for student organizations – Southern Illinois Dance Company won the small bracket division while Delta Zeta, Farmhouse and Alpha Sigma Phi won for large bracket.
- Door decorating contest with 43 campus offices participating – the office of the executive director of administration and finance took first place, including a trophy and a catered lunch, while the Graduate School earned honorable mention.
Other homecoming highlights
Saluki Gras: From Bourbon St. to Saluki Way was the theme of this year’s celebration and festivities kicked off on Oct. 13 with a concert by Jesse McCartney at Shyrock Auditorium.
Other special activities included an official kickoff proclamation and celebration, casino night, comedy show, blood drive, homecoming pep rally and the inaugural Saluki Gras Block party, which brought hundreds of students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to Pulliam lawn for fun, games and refreshments.
Alaysia Brandy and Toussaint Mitchell
Grey Dawg, Alaysia Brandy and Toussaint Mitchell
SIU Homecoming Court 2018