Jones named king, Miller is queen as Northwest concludes Homecoming week

Oct. 10, 2020

Northwest Missouri State University crowned Kirayle Jones and Carmen Miller as its 2020 Homecoming king and queen Friday afternoon as the University concluded its annual Homecoming week.

Jones, of Omaha, Nebraska, is a senior education major with a middle school emphasis. In addition to serving as Student Senate President, he is active with Sigma Tau Gamma, the Student Ambassador Executive Board, TRIO Support Services and History Club.

Miller, also of Omaha, is a senior education major with an early childhood education emphasis. She is active in Alpha Sigma Alpha, Panhellenic Council, Student Senate and St. Jude Up’ til Dawn in addition to serving as a student ambassador

This year's Homecoming prince was Ryan Baker, a first grader at Horace Mann Laboratory School; he is the son of Dr. Matt Baker, Northwest’s vice president of student affairs, and Jill Baker, a senior instructor of professional education. The Homecoming princess is Sophia Runge, a first grader at Horace Mann Laboratory School; she is the daughter of Ben Runge and Megan DeShon-Runge, the assistant director of Greek Life at Northwest.

Northwest students selected the king and queen during a week of online voting Sept. 30 through Oct. 7, and Jones and Miller were crowned during a Homecoming Showcase event Friday afternoon at the Memorial Bell Tower. The event featured performances by the Bearcat Marching Band, the Bearcat Steppers and Northwest cheerleaders, and additional award winners were announced.

Alpha Sigma Alpha won the canned art contest, and Phi Mu was the “people’s choice” winner in the canned art contest. The Office of Student Account Services won the office decorating contest.

While Northwest organized limited Homecoming activities this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Friday’s events also included the 23rd annual International Flag-Raising Ceremony and a parade on the Northwest campus.

The remainder of the 2020 Homecoming court appears below.

King candidates

Blake Brodersen

Year: Senior
Major: Political science with a public administration emphasis
Hometown: Warsaw, Missouri
Campus involvement: Alpha Gamma Rho

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James Palmer

Year: Senior
Major: Political science with a criminology and criminal justice emphasis
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Campus involvement: Phi Sigma Kappa, St. Jude Up’ til Dawn, Alternative Spring Break

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Connor Thompson

Year: Junior
Major: Political science with a global affairs emphasis
Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri
Campus involvement: Tau Kappa Epsilon, Up ’til Dawn, Interfraternity Council, National Society of Leadership and Success, Student Senate, Student Wellness Advisory Council

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Nathan White

Year: Senior
Major: Management information systems
Hometown: Oak Grove, Missouri
Campus involvement: Sigma Phi Epsilon, Student Senate

Queen candidates

Liz Johnson

Year: Senior
Major: Agricultural education
Hometown: Unadilla, Nebraska
Campus involvement: Sigma Society, National Honor Society of Leadership and Success, Horticulture Club, Collegiate FFA/ATA/PAS

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Grace McCarthy

Year: Senior
Major: Political science
Hometown: Solon, Iowa
Campus involvement: Blue Key, Student Senate, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Pre-Law Society, Peer Advisor

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Emily Meneely

Year: Senior
Major: Education with an early childhood education emphasis
Hometown: Meadville, Missouri
Campus involvement: Student Ambassador, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Panhellenic Council, Order of Omega, Education Around the World, S.W.A.C., Northwest Navigators, College Republicans.

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Debrielle Patee-Merrill

Year: Senior
Major: Geography
Hometown: Maryville, Missouri
Campus involvement: Student Senate vice president, Bearcat Steppers captain, Student Ambassador, Alpha Sigma Alpha, St. Jude Up’ til Dawn, Children’s Miracle Network Goodwill Ambassador, Active Minds