The run-offs were held, the ballots were counted and Oct. 9, the 2014 Homecoming Court was announced. These Southern Miss students will represent the university in several aspects during the week of homecoming.
Madison Tynes, a communication studies major, was voted Freshman Maid by her peers. She is involved in the women’s choir, Delta Delta Delta sorority and the Student Eagle Club.
“I am most excited about walking across the field in front of hundreds of people,” she said. “I know it is going to be the most amazing feeling, but most of all I know in that moment I will be making my parents proud.”
Nursing student Emily Hope was named this year’s Sophomore Maid. During her past two years at Southern Miss, Hope has been involved with Phi Mu sorority, Golden Eagle Welcome Week, the Luckday Welcome Team and many other volunteer organizations in and around the Hattiesburg community.
“It makes my heart overflow with joy and excitement knowing I can represent a school that has stolen my heart since day one,” Hope said. “All of the love in my heart really does go to Southern Mississippi.”
Eboni Thompson was chosen as Junior Maid for the 2014 Homecoming Court.
Erin McLeod will be representing the senior class as the 2014 Senior Maid. McLeod is a presidential scholar, the president of Kappa Delta sorority, a tour guide for the Office of Admissions and has previously been involved with Southern Style, SGA and various other organizations on campus.
“It is a privilege to represent the Class of 2015 on this year’s homecoming court,” she said. “As a fourth-generation Southern Miss student, I grew up watching the homecoming festivities on game day at the Rock. It’s incredible that my childhood dreams will become a reality.”
Kierra Garner was elected the 2014 Homecoming Queen. Garner is an elementary education major who serves as a director for the African American Student Organization. She is also involved with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society and has previously served on SGA, SMAC and GEWW Crew.
“Making such a big impact on the student body has truly overjoyed me,” Garner said. “I came to leave Southern Miss better than I found it, and through my awesome achievement I think I can do just that.”
The Student Body Maid for this year will be Jamie Jackson. Jackson is a leadership scholar who also serves as a member of Southern Style, Eagle Connection and president of Chi Omega sorority. Jackson is also a member of several honor societies.
Senior Shonice Musgrove was voted by the student body as Miss Southern Miss 2014. Musgrove is a business administration and entrepreneurship major. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a leadership scholar and has previously been involved with Southern Style, SGA, SMAC, GEWW, Eagle Ambassadors and other organizations and events at the university.
“Besides graduating, becoming Miss Southern Miss was one of my biggest goals,” Musgrove said. “I will cherish this memory for my the rest of my life.”
Lastly, Wilton Jackson was elected this year’s Mr. Southern Miss. Jackson is a broadcast journalism major, a Luckyday scholar and attorney general for the Student Government Association. Jackson also serves as a member of The Southerner yearbook, The Student Printz and many other societies and organizations.
“This year, there were so many qualified candidates for Mr. Southern Miss and the student body could have chosen any of them to represent the university. Nevertheless, they chose me,” Jackson said. “Thus, because I was (chosen) to represent this university in a prestigious manner, I truly feel obligated to make sure I do my very best to represent this university with pride and honor.”
The 2014 Homecoming Court will represent the university at the homecoming game Nov. 8.
