Lucy Huthnance was crowned the 2026 Homecoming Queen on Oct. 6. Huthnance is a senior elementary education major from Houston, Texas, who grew up in a family of University of Mississippi alumni.
“As a third-generation Rebel, I grew up loving Ole Miss, but I grew into loving its people,” Huthnance said. “Getting to represent the people that I have … (fallen) in love with is such a gift.”
Because of her family’s connection to the university, Huthnance has always had an appreciation for the university and its traditions.
“My grandpa came to Ole Miss, so we just grew up coming to games here and visiting Oxford,” Huthnance said. “It’s just been a lifelong dream to come to Ole Miss.”
Now, years later, Huthnance is creating her own legacy as Homecoming Queen.
Lucy Huthnance. Photo by Madison Twiddy
Throughout her time at Ole Miss, Huthnance has been involved in many campus organizations. She is a member of the Chi Omega sorority and the Ole Miss Ambassadors program.
The student ambassador program is a way for students and alumni to tell the university’s story. Student ambassadors give tours to prospective students throughout the year.
“Whenever I give a tour, I always say, ‘If you love Ole Miss, it will love you back,’” Huthnance said. “I feel like that’s how my experience has gone. It made me super confident in myself — it’s given me friendship and a community that I know will last a lifetime.”
Huthnance said her role as a student ambassador has been meaningful because she can spread her appreciation for the university.
“It’s been so sweet to see Ole Miss through the eyes of someone who’s coming for the first time again,” Huthnance said.
She also said her involvement in Pinelake College, a campus ministry program run by the Pinelake Church Oxford Campus, has been significant in her inspiration for her campaign.
“I hoped, honestly, just to shine a light for the Gospel and hopefully share God’s love through my actions and the words that I say,” Huthnance said. “If somebody came to my table, I hoped that they would just be more curious about who Jesus was today than they were yesterday.”
She said her involvement in Pinelake College is “hands down” one of the best parts of her college experience.
“It just makes such an incredible community at Ole Miss, and I think it really (refocuses you) in a really distracting college culture,” Huthnance said.
Huthnance’s Christian faith is very important to her, and she aspires to channel her faith through her actions.
“I hope that (others) see more Jesus in me than they do my name,” Huthnance said. “I hope that they see Jesus in me in the way that I talk and walk and act.”
She described the campaign as an outward celebration of getting to love the place she has always admired.
Throughout her campaign, Huthnance received support from friends, family and members of Chi Omega.
“Chi Omega helped fund a lot of my campaign,” Huthnance said. “I had friends that sat at a table for me literally for hours a day, and they were just so excited for me.”
Huthnance said her sorority has helped her make lifelong friendships.
“I’ve gotten to make so many friends and live with just some of the best girls, and have friends that I know will be there on my wedding day,” Huthnance said.
She also said her family has been there for her throughout the entire process and was excited to see her win.
“My family was ecstatic — they are all coming up for the (Missouri) game, and my parents came during election week to be with me,” Huthnance said. “They really just showed up during election week, Homecoming week and now they are coming for the game.”
