University of Mississippi students will cast their ballots for the 2024 Ole Miss Homecoming Court on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
“(Homecoming elections are) more than a matter of winning and losing. It’s about us as a collective body having the power to choose who represents the institution and community we all love,” Associated Student Body Attorney General Alex Kipping said.
Sophomore nursing major Emma Katherine Randall shared Kipping’s sentiment.
“(Voting in homecoming elections) gives you a sense that you have something to do with what’s going on in school,” Randall said.
Here are the nominees for Miss Ole Miss, Mr. Ole Miss, Homecoming Queen and Homecoming King and their platforms.
Miss Ole Miss Candidates
Janelle Minor is an Oxford native and a multidisciplinary studies major. She is using her Miss Ole Miss campaign to promote “J.A.M.” — an acronym she created standing for joy, access and Mississippi. Minor has partnered with 2nd Chance MS, a local nonprofit organization fundraising for and promoting adult education programs.
“(I am) dedicated to making our campus a place where everyone feels at home,” Minor said.
Madeline Mueller is a psychology major from Tulsa, Okla. Mueller has partnered with Special Olympics Mississippi, an organization dedicated to spreading compassion and awareness.
“The foundation of my campaign is recognizing and celebrating the opportunities we have all around us,” Mueller said.
Sofia Rivero is a general business major from Atlanta. Rivero is using her Miss Ole Miss platform, “Shine with Sofia,” to promote giving back to the community and is partnering with LeapFrog, an organization that promotes children’s literacy.
“Every child should know that they matter and so does their education,” Rivero said.
Betsy Vise is an Arabic and international studies double major from Tuscaloosa, Ala. Her slogan, “Bet on Betsy,” reflects her mission to lift up the work of others and serve the university. She has partnered with the Community First Research Center for Wellbeing and Creative Achievement.
“My platform is trying to represent the opportunities and joys that I’ve got to experience over the past three years,” Vise said. “Part of that is trying to bring attention to the work being done at the CREW center.”
Mr. Ole Miss Candidates
Lars Andersen is a journalism major from Eagan, Minn. He is using his Mr. Ole Miss campaign to advocate for mental health and wellness among students on the platform “better tomorrows start today.” He has partnered with the Clinic for Outreach and Personal Enrichment (COPE), a university organization providing free counseling services to Mississippi communities, to advocate for accessible mental health resources.
“I love to represent (the university),” Andersen said. “I’m honored when the university decides that I am the best foot to put forward.”
Santino Rocchio is an accountancy major from San Francisco, Calif. He is using his Mr. Ole Miss campaign to spread his love of the university and all that it has to offer.
“I have been so fortunate to be surrounded by such an amazing community who shares my passion for Oxford, and now I run into friendly faces wherever I go. We are so fortunate to have the incredible Square, Grove and a unique community that enables us to meet and befriend individuals from all backgrounds,” Rocchio said in an Instagram post on Thursday, Sept. 5. “I want to share my love for Ole Miss with others, which is why I am running to be the next Mr. Ole Miss.”
Jakota White is an integrated marketing communications major from Gulfport, Miss. White is partnering with Love Packs, a nonprofit organization in Oxford that provides supplemental food to children in need.
“Love is one of the few things in this world that connects us all,” White said.
Homecoming Queen Candidates
Vanessa Bonner is a forensic chemistry major from Houma, La. Her slogan is “You are My Sunshine.”
“I wanted to use this campaign platform to really reflect on all of the wonderful students that I have met and wonderful memories that I have made so far,” Bonner said.
Madalyn Dudley is an integrated marketing communications and public policy double major from Somerset, Ky. Dudley is running for homecoming queen with the campaign message “You matter to Madalyn.”
“I just wanted to use this as a way to remind people that they matter to me and to Ole Miss, and that their presence here is really important and their place on this campus does matter,” Dudley said.
Abby Johnson is an integrated marketing communications and business major from New Orleans. Johnson is campaigning for homecoming queen on the platform of “lead the way.”
“Ole Miss has given me a community that loves, leads and serves each other every day,” Johnson said in a Thursday, Sept. 5 Instagram post. “I am so grateful for the support and mentorship I’ve received, and I hope this campaign will honor the leaders who inspired me while encouraging future leaders of this campus!”
Homecoming King Candidates
Caleb Ball is a political science major running on the platform of “Ball for All.”
“No matter who you are or where you come from, everyone has a story to tell, and I personally can’t wait to hear them all,” Ball said.
James Ling is a political science major from Oxford. Ling’s homecoming king campaign emphasizes the uniqueness of the university and its students.
“This campaign is for the people that tried so hard to fit in during their grade school years but never could,” Ling said.
Students can cast their votes in myOleMiss from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 17.
