Homecoming '09 Royalty

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2009
Tori Christiansen
(417) 625-9320                                                               
 
JOPLIN, MO (SNS) - Missouri Southern State University students Levi Jett and Cocoa Young were crowned 2009 “Go for the Green!  Go for the Gold!” Homecoming Queen and King today on the MSSU campus. 
 
Coronation of Homecoming Royalty was held at the All University Picnic today at noon on campus before a large crowd of well-wishers.
 
Homecoming King Levi Jett was sponsored by Residence Hall Association (RHA), is the son of Mark and Melissa Jett of West Plains, Mo. He is a senior in Kinesiology and is involved as a Resident Assistant.  After graduation, he plans to pursue his graduate degree at Missouri State University to become a physical therapist and will be getting married in June. 
 
2009 Homecoming Queen Cocoa Young was sponsored by Student Alumni Association, is the daughter of Eric and Tina Young of St. Louis, Mo.  She is a senior in Communications with an emphasis Public Relations who is involved in Student Alumni Association, Campus Activities Board, and Southern Impact.  Upon graduation, she plans to start her own fashion line.
 
Twenty students were nominated by eleven sponsoring student organizations.  Elections were held on Monday, Sept. 21 and Tuesday, Sept. 22, according to the MSSU Student Activities Office and the Missouri Southern Alumni Association.  Ten finalists were chosen.
 
Finalists:
 
Melissa Holt, sponsored by Collegiate Music Educators National Conference, is the daughter of Matt and Jana Holt of Webb City, MO.  She is a senior in Public Relations with a minor in Vocal Music.  She is a member of the Honors Program, Epsilon Mu Sigma, Alpha Chi, CMENC, Southern Exposure and is the captain of the Southern Gold Dance team.  After graduation, she hopes to move to Branson to perform. 
 
Tim Louderback, sponsored by Collegiate Music Educators National Conference, is the son of Kelly and Cindi Louderback.  He is a junior in Mass Communications from Eldorado Springs, Mo.  He is involved in CMENC and sings in the Ninth Hour gospel quartet.  Following graduation, he plans to pursue a career in gospel singing.
 
Duong Tran of Joplin, sponsored by Kappa Alpha Order, is the son of James and Susan Tran.  He is seeking a Biology/Pre-Pharmacy.  He plans to become a pharmacist in the future.
 
Brittany Langdon, sponsored by Lambda Chi Epsilon (LEX), is the daughter of Martin Dale and Kim Childers from Fresno, California.  She is a senior in Political Science and is involved LEX, College Democrats, and Student Senate.  She plans to attend law school after graduation.
 
Nathan Hicks, sponsored by Lambda Chi Epsilon (LEX), is the son of Paul and Janice Hicks of Joplin, Mo.  He is a junior in Political Science and is involved in LEX, College Republicans, Student Senate, and Campus Activities Board.  He plans to attend law school after graduation. 
 
Stacy Borgard, sponsored by Omicron Delta Kappa, is the daughter of Richard and Sharon Borgard of Ozark, Mo.  She is a senior in Elementary Education and is involved in Kappa Delta Pi, Alpha Chi, and is a Residence Assistant.  She was also a member of the women’s track and field team from 2005-spring 2009.  After graduation, she plans to obtain a teaching position in the Joplin area. 
 
Laura Duncan, sponsored by Residence Hall Association (RHA), is the daughter of Scott and Marla Duncan of Reeds Spring, Mo. She is a sophomore in Accounting who is involved with the Accounting Club as well as RHA; she has also served as a Travel Abroad Student ambassador for two years.  Upon graduation, she plans to obtain her CPA and open up her own business.
 
Domenique “Weedy” Butler, sponsored by Student Alumni Association, is the son of Pam Butler of Hoover, Ala. He is a senior in Communication who is a member of the football team and the Student Alumni Association.  He hopes to work in promotions for a major athletic company.

The Queen and King  and finalists will ride in the Homecoming Parade slated for 11:30 a.m. tomorrow on the MSSU campus.  They will be introduced during halftime activities at the Homecoming football game which begins at 2 p.m., tomorrow at Fred Hughes Stadium.