By AMANDA JAMES

aaj006@latech.edu

 

Fourteen students received the honor of being named to the 2005 Homecoming Court on Oct. 6.

“We [were] looking for people who are really involved and prideful of their school,” Tashaunda Dixon, director of student affairs for the Student Government Association and a junior accounting major, said.

Women named to the court included Emily Allison, a senior marketing major; Blair Bahlinger, a senior speech major; and McKinna Dartez, a senior professional aviation major.

Other women named to the court included Lane Griffith, a senior civil engineering major; Lindsay Mencacci, a senior biology major; Emily Steed, a senior interior design major; and Jeanna Thibodeaux, a junior marketing major. 

Men named to the court included Clayton Chandler, a senior computer science major; Cazerrick “CJ” Johnson, a junior political science major; and Klark Kent, a junior professional aviation major.

Other men named to the court included Jeremy Pendergrass, a junior history major; Jesse Petrus, a junior accounting major; Barry Rogers, a senior history major; and Matt Young, a senior speech major.

The court was chosen through a four-step process.

Dixon said students had to first be nominated by a chartered Tech organization and turn in an application. A group of faculty and staff then scored the applications based on involvement and GPA. She said the top 24 females and the top 24 males were given interviews.

Dixon said a group of faculty and staff interviewed the applicants. She said the top 12 women and the top 12 men were placed on a ballot, and the student body voted on the court Oct. 5 and Oct. 6.

Dixon said the students who were elected to the court are important to the university.

“They’re leaving a mark,” she said. “Most people come to college and don’t really do anything, but these people care about where they are and the people around them.”

Pendergrass, who was nominated by Kappa Delta sorority, said he is excited about his selection to the Homecoming Court.

“The whole Homecoming selection process has been exciting,” he said.

 “I feel very honored to have been selected to be on court, and I am blessed to have the opportunity to represent the student body at Homecoming.”

Pendergrass said he anticipates the events of Homecoming week.

“I am really looking forward to being on court with some of my good friends,” Pendergrass said. “I am also really excited about being a part of the Homecoming pep rally and game as we cheer Tech on to a victory.”

Griffith, who was nominated by Union Board, is also excited to be on the court.

“It is an honor to serve on Homecoming Court,” she said.

“It is almost surreal. I cannot believe that I am already a senior in college and have the opportunity to represent Louisiana Tech during Homecoming.”

The Homecoming Court will be introduced at the Homecoming Kick-Off at 3 p.m. Oct. 16 in the Tolliver staging area.

The court will also ride in the Homecoming parade at 6 p.m. Oct. 20.

The court will be presented at the Homecoming pep rally at 10 p.m. Oct. 21 in the Thomas Assembly Center.

The Homecoming king and queen will be announced at the pep rally.

Homecoming week begins Sunday with events scheduled for each day until the game.