Excitement Builds as Ole Miss Votes for Homecoming Court Nominees
Oxford, Mississippi is buzzing with excitement as students gear up to cast their votes for the 2024 Ole Miss Homecoming Court. On Tuesday, September 17, students will have the chance to select representatives who embody the spirit of their campus community. Many feel that these elections mean much more than simply being about winners and losers; it’s about unity and representation.
“Homecoming elections are more than a matter of winning and losing. It’s about us as a collective body having the power to choose who represents the institution and community we all love,”
quoted the Associated Student Body Attorney General Alex Kipping. His sentiments resonate with students like sophomore nursing major, Emma Katherine Randall, who said, “Voting in homecoming elections gives you a sense that you have something to do with what’s going on in school.”
Meet the Miss Ole Miss Candidates
The nominees for Miss Ole Miss this year are inspiring! Each candidate is eagerly sharing their platforms and passion for positively impacting the university community.
- Janelle Minor: An Oxford native and multidisciplinary studies major, Janelle is promoting “J.A.M.” — which stands for joy, access, and Mississippi. She is working with 2nd Chance MS, a nonprofit that focuses on adult education programs. “I am dedicated to making our campus a place where everyone feels at home,” she emphasized.
- Madeline Mueller: A psychology major from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Madeline has partnered with Special Olympics Mississippi. She shared, “The foundation of my campaign is recognizing and celebrating the opportunities we have all around us.”
- Sofia Rivero: A general business major from Atlanta, Sofia’s platform “Shine with Sofia,” promotes literacy and community giving, collaborating with LeapFrog, which emphasizes children’s literacy. “Every child should know that they matter and so does their education,” she expressed.
- Betsy Vise: An Arabic and international studies double major from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Betsy’s slogan is “Bet on Betsy.” She aims to shine a light on the work being done at the Community First Research Center for Wellbeing and Creative Achievement.
Spotlight on Mr. Ole Miss Candidates
And let’s not forget about the guys! The Mr. Ole Miss nominees are equally passionate about their platforms.
- Lars Andersen: A journalism major from Eagan, Minnesota, Lars is advocating for mental health awareness with the slogan “better tomorrows start today.” Partnering with COPE, he stresses the importance of accessible mental health resources.
- Santino Rocchio: An accountancy major from San Francisco, California, Santino is all about sharing his love for the university. “I want to share my love for Ole Miss with others,” he stated passionately.
- Jakota White: A marketing communications major from Gulfport, Mississippi, Jakota supports Love Packs, a nonprofit that provides food to children in need. He reminds us, “Love is one of the few things in this world that connects us all.”
Homecoming Queen and King Nominees
The competition heats up for Homecoming Queen and King as well!
- Vanessa Bonner: From Houma, Louisiana, Vanessa a forensic chemistry major, runs with the slogan “You are My Sunshine,” seeking to reflect her appreciation for fellow students.
- Madalyn Dudley: An integrated marketing communications and public policy double major from Somerset, Kentucky, Madalyn champions the message “You matter to Madalyn.”
- Abby Johnson: Hailing from New Orleans, Abby, who is majoring in integrated marketing communications and business, focuses on leadership with her platform “lead the way.”
- Caleb Ball: A political science major, Caleb’s campaign “Ball for All” emphasizes that everyone has a story worth sharing.
- James Ling: Hailing from Oxford, James celebrates the unique stories of students, saying, “This campaign is for the people that tried so hard to fit in during their grade school years but never could.”
How to Vote
Students can complete the voting process via myOleMiss from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on September 17. With such a fantastic lineup of candidates and platforms, the heart of the Ole Miss community truly shines, reminding everyone that their voice matters.
Get ready, Rebels! The power to shape your student body is just a vote away!