The Associated Student Body held a meeting for the Homecoming and Personality Election candidates on Thursday, Sept. 5. Campaigning began immediately after the meeting, with many candidates immediately taking to social media to announce their nominations.
Election day will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 17. University of Mississippi students can vote through their MyOleMiss. Election results will be announced that evening on the Lyceum steps at 7:30 p.m. alongside a block party that includes a live band, snacks and drinks.
The candidates for the elections are as follows:
Mr. Ole Miss: Jakota White, Santino Rocchio and Lars Andersen
Miss Ole Miss: Madeline Mueller, Betsy Vise, Sofia Rivero and Janelle Minor
Homecoming Queen: Abby Johnson, Vanessa Bonner and Madalyn Dudley
Homecoming King: Caleb Ball and James Ling
Freshman Maid: Nina Houdeshell, Emily Deutsch and Hannah Levy
Sophomore Maid: Emma Abbay, Jodi-Leigh Hewitt, Gabriella Gilley, Spencer Winslow, Emma Prejean, Lillian Winter, Sophia Rankin, Madelynn Liberto and Emma Simpson
Junior Maid: Hannah Hoang, Taylor Champitto, Emma Schwieger, Catherine McCall, Zoey Swan and Nina Poiroux
Senior Maid: Kate Downs, Shaelen Hudson, Hadelyn Hogue, Emily Tumelty, Madison Parks, Riley Rushing and Merritt Welsh
Campus Favorite: Xenia Minton, Lydia Snopek, Maren Nadolski, Julianna Barrack, Heather McKenzie, Ginger Thomas, Emma Glorioso, Sydney Gercak, Teddy King, Haley Cote, Mollie Wright, Caroline Brock, Isabelle Foss, Mary Addison Gregory, West Sepko, Victoria Nowell, Anne York, Brooke Bradley, Sally Kate Dabney, Jesse Gordon, Cooper Carrico and Kam Holt
Public campaigning is set to commence on Monday, Sept. 9. Students running for a Homecoming or Personality Election position will have tables on the Union Plaza, offering personalized stickers, flyers and other giveaway items to students with the hope of rallying support.
There are several rules candidates must follow. Candidates may not collaborate with one another or campaign in academic settings. Candidates are also not allowed to endorse or run alongside other candidates as ASB elections are single-ticket campaigns. Candidates may also not be endorsed by university staff, or those associated directly with the university, although they may be endorsed by student-led groups.
ASB Attorney General Alex Kipping voiced that students should care about Homecoming elections and vote.
“These races and the people they nominate serve as a representation of our university, especially with the Big Four positions in particular, like Miss Ole Miss, Mr. Ole Miss – they go and do philanthropic work out in the community, not just on campus,” Kipping said.
The Homecoming Parade will be held on Friday, Sept. 27, followed by the Homecoming football game against first SEC opponent Kentucky on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Teddy King is the sports editor at The Daily Mississippian.
