The Preview and Orientation Leader Organization showcased their presence on campus during homecoming by taking home several winning titles at halftime of the ETSU football game on Saturday.
Out of 16 homecoming court candidates, POLO leaders Jaylen Grimes and Olivia Webb received the titles of homecoming king and queen.
“Oh my gosh, it’s so amazing,” Webb said. “Like, I love this campus so much, so it’s just nice that I won; but they’re [the other homecoming candidates] all my friends, so it was just a great experience.”
“It was great,” Grimes said. “Everybody supported each other, and that is what it’s really all about.”
Along with Grimes’ and Webb’s wins, POLO was named the overall winner in the student organization category. Both candidates were excited to see their organization win this title.
“We definitely had fewer numbers than usual this year, and then I couldn’t participate because of things that I had outside – because of work and things,” Grimes said. “But we all came together, and we really, really worked really hard, and Olivia did a lot of the planning and everything; and a lot of getting everybody together. So, I’m really proud of her for taking everything and stepping up.”
“We love supporting new Bucs,” Webb said. “That’s literally what orientation is all about, is helping welcome in the new students here.”
Wyatt Witchey of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Callie Root of Alpha Delta Pi received the titles of homecoming prince and princess as the runners-up. Alpha Xi Delta and Sigma Phi Epsilon were the overall winners for the fraternity and sorority organizations.
Homecoming Court campaigning took place all day Tuesday and Wednesday in the Quad, Borchuck Plaza and Warf-Pickel Plaza. Sitting behind tables lined with flyers, buttons and candy, candidates took this time to promote themselves to ETSU students.
Giving students a mere 24 hours to vote for their favorite candidates, online voting opened at midnight on Thursday and closed at 11:59 p.m. the same night.
Sixteen candidates from different campus organizations ran for Homecoming Queen and King this year: Mary Bracale of Phi Sigma Pi, Bryce Burgess of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Lindsay Edwards of Alpha Xi Delta, Cameron Francis of Beta Upsilon Chi, Jaylen Grimes and Olivia Webb of the Preview and Orientation Leader Organization, Connor James of Alpha Sigma Phi, Dakota LaPorte of Alpha Omicron Pi, Rachel Lilly of Sigma Kappa , Samantha Maffett of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Callie Root of Alpha Delta Pi, Esmond Sparks, Jr. of Alpha Phi Alpha, Andrew Wetzel of Sigma Chi, Belle Williams of Kappa Delta, Wyatt Witchey of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Olivia Wolfe of Governors Hall Community Council.
During campaigning on Tuesday and Wednesday, some of the organizations took the opportunity to raise money for certain causes. On Wednesday, Rachel Lilly of Sigma Kappa and Connor James of Alpha Sigma Phi took donations for Bucky’s Food Pantry. For every pie thrown in the face of a homecoming candidate, they donated $1 to Bucky’s Food Pantry.
Andrew Wetzel of Sigma Chi and Dakota LaPorte of Alpha Omicron Pi supported breast cancer awareness month during their campaign. Over the course of the week, Wetzel wore pink in honor of breast cancer awareness. The candidates also took donations for the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
“We are also doing breast cancer awareness week, because it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” LaPorte said. “Sigma Kai – their main organization that they donate to – is the Huntsman Foundation to find a cure for cancer, so that’s what we’re doing.”
While most candidates campaigned in pairs, ETSU Senior and Brother At Large for Phi Sigma Pi fraternity Mary Bracale was the only candidate that ran independently for her organization. She ran to prove that age does not have limits.
“I’m basically the big sister, and the reason that I am running is that I am 34,” Bracale said. “I am a single mother of two babies, and I want to show that it’s never too late to enjoy your life and have fun, even if it’s the second time around.”
Many of the candidates ran for Homecoming as a chance to represent their organizations and to promote community and campus involvement. The most common theme of the candidates’ campaigns, however, was their love for ETSU.
“ETSU became my home four years ago, as I’m originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, but the culture quickly became a part of who I am,” Alpha Sigma Phi representative Connor James said.
“I’m running just to show that ETSU can provide you with so many opportunities and really help you succeed as a student,” said homecoming princess Callie Root. “I’m involved in ADPi and lots of other organizations on campus and just showing students that you can really get your name out there and make an impact.”
