Excitement Buzzes in Oxford as Ole Miss Crowns Homecoming King and Announces Runoff Elections
As the sun set on the charming campus of Oxford, Mississippi, students gathered at the historic Lyceum to celebrate a time-honored tradition—the announcement of the Homecoming King and the reveal of campus favorites. And last night was nothing short of magical, with Caleb Ball taking the esteemed title of Homecoming King!
Mark Your Calendars for the Runoff Elections
The evening wasn’t just about the crowning glory; the buzz continues as students prepare for runoff elections taking place today, Thursday, September 19, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.. If you’re a student at Ole Miss, don’t forget to cast your vote on myOleMiss for Miss Ole Miss, Mr. Ole Miss, and Homecoming Queen. Winners will be announced tonight at 7:30 p.m., right back at the Lyceum. How exciting!
The Runoff Candidates are Ready to Shine
In the race for Miss Ole Miss, the contenders are Madeline Mueller and Betsy Vise. For Mr. Ole Miss, it’s a showdown between Jakota White and Santino Rocchio. And let’s not forget our Homecoming Queen finalists, Abby Johnson and Vanessa “Nessa” Bonner.
Campus Favorites Announced
Introduced alongside the king were the 10 campus favorites, a recognition bestowed upon students who exemplify the spirit of Ole Miss. This year, the honored favorites include: Julianna Barrack, Sally Kate Dabney, Brooke Bradley, Caroline Brock, Mary Addison Gregory, Xenia Minton, Victoria Nowell, Lydia Snopek, Mollie Wright, and Anne York.
And speaking of favorites, let’s not overlook the class maids! This year’s results showed Emily Deutsch capturing the freshman maid title with 42.91% of the vote. Next, Emma Simpson secured sophomore maid with 21.15%, Zoey Swan made junior maid with 25.57%, and finally, Kate Downs took the senior maid spot with 28.79%. Talk about an impressive lineup!
Candidates Share Their Excitement
As the candidates prepared for the runoff, their enthusiasm was palpable. “I’m just so thankful for all the support and love I’ve received so far,” said Bonner, a senior majoring in forensic chemistry. “The fact that I was even nominated for Homecoming Queen is such an honor.” Her opponent, Johnson, echoed similar sentiments, encouraging her peers to stay involved with the elections. “I am honored and humbled to be in contention,” she shared. “I hope people continue to feel my love and leadership.”
The guys are just as excited! Mr. Ole Miss candidate White stated, “I’m gonna do all I can do,” while Rocchio expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he has received from his friends.
Mueller, running for Miss Ole Miss, couldn’t hide her excitement either. “I feel just so grateful to be here. I can’t even imagine being in this position!” Vise, her competitor, emphasized the joy of meeting new people throughout her campaign. “The support these past two weeks has felt unreal,” she remarked, already thinking of the thank-you notes she’ll need to write.
The Thrill of Being a Winner
After the announcements, winners let their joy shine. Ball, the newly crowned Homecoming King, shared, “It feels really amazing. I come from a small town, and this place has made me who I am. It just means the world to me!” Meanwhile, Victoria Nowell celebrated a family legacy as she became a campus favorite, following in her mother’s footsteps. How cool is that?
Minton, also a favorite, remarked on how much she loves giving back to the Ole Miss community and meeting amazing people. Freshman Maid Deutsch voiced similar excitement about representing her class and her platform of “encourage others.” And even senior maid Downs focused on her love for Ole Miss, stating, “This has been the best week ever, and I will never forget this.”
Wrapping up the event, ASB Attorney General Alex Kipping couldn’t help but express pride in all the participants. “Huge congratulations! I’m so proud of everybody who participated. It’s grueling, but it’s all worth it,” she encouraged the runoff candidates.
With so many talented individuals and a vibrant atmosphere, today promises to be an exciting day for all at Ole Miss. Don’t forget to vote!
