Homecoming candidates began promoting their campaigns last week by handing out stickers on the Union Plaza, posting on social media and speaking to different sororities and fraternities. University of Mississippi students can vote in Homecoming and personality elections on the ForUM on Oct. 6 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Mr. and Miss Ole Miss and Homecoming King and Queen candidates promoted their campaigns at a panel hosted by the Associated Student Body on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Mr. and Miss Ole Miss are required to collaborate on joint philanthropic projects once they are elected.
Mr. Ole Miss
Jack Turrentine is a public policy leadership and rhetoric double major from Knoxville, Tenn. His campaign slogan is “One Family,” and he is partnering with the Holman Fund for his philanthropy. The Holman Fund provides emergency support for students who experience unexpected hardships.
This philanthropy is very personal to Turrentine, whose father died during his sophomore year. Turrentine hopes to promote his and Miss Ole Miss’ philanthropies with one-on-one conversations and direct contact with other communities and organizations.
“I wanted to have a philanthropy for students who have lost a loved one while they were in college,” Turrentine said. “Ole Miss has been there for me in the worst moments of my life but has championed me in my best. I want every student at Ole Miss to know that support exists, and it’s there for you whenever you need.”
Leyton Turk is a philosophy and writing and rhetoric major from Philadelphia, Miss. His campaign slogan is “Don’t Be a Jerk, Vote for Turk,” and his philanthropy is the Mississippi Coalition Against Human Trafficking (MCAHT). MCAHT raises awareness about the growing human trafficking issue, and Turk is raising money to support survivors of trafficking.
If elected, he hopes to support his and Miss Ole Miss’ philanthropies with public speaking, social media production and staying true to his mission of supporting survivors.
“There isn’t a soul that I won’t be happy to talk about my philanthropy with,” Turk said. “Hundreds of people are getting trafficked a year, and this philanthropy provides funds to help victims and survivors of human trafficking recover from that situation.”
Luke Newsom is a biology major from Oxford. He chose “Go The Distance” as his campaign slogan, and his philanthropy partnership is with Delta Health Alliance, a nonprofit committed to increasing healthcare education in the Mississippi Delta.
Newsom hopes to work with Miss Ole Miss to promote university organizations and charities through public speaking efforts. His motivation for running stems from his reflection on the people and community that have built him up during his undergraduate years.
“I’ve always been put in scenarios where I have to speak to a lot of people,” Newsom said. “It’s really easy for me to get passionate about something that is directly affecting the people. I feel I’ve never met a stranger, and I would love the honor of representing my community at Ole Miss.”
Miss Ole Miss
Audrey Dufrene is a public policy leadership major from Shreveport, La. She coined “Definitely Dufrene” as her campaign slogan to commemorate her father who died during her freshman year.
Dufrene hopes to use her philanthropy to create a physical memorial for students, faculty and staff that have passed away and to give the university community a safe space for opening up about their grief.
“Everyone’s impacted by something, everyone has a story to share, and so … looking at those specific testimonials and sharing those stories by social media or word of mouth is important for spreading awareness about those struggles,” Dufrene said.
Ciarria “CeCe” King is an elementary education major from Louisville, Miss. Her campaign slogan is “Culture for Community,” and her philanthropy is Pages of Possibility, which focuses on raising funds to support childhood literacy initiatives.
King believes the university has given her many opportunities to grow, and she wants to reciprocate those opportunities to young children.
“I believe every child deserves the opportunity to discover the world through reading,” King said. “Sometimes, a book can open a door a child didn’t know existed, and I want to help open more of those doors. We are pushing a goal, and it is to help people all over the world.”
Julia Case is an integrated marketing and communications major from Covington, La.
She chose “With Joy” as her campaign slogan and Doors of Hope Transition Ministries for her philanthropy. Doors of Hope is an Oxford-based nonprofit that guides homeless and at-risk families toward financial stability and self-reliance.
If elected, Case hopes to continue encouraging others to be joyful in all circumstances and to represent the student body honorably.
“Throughout the week, I have asked people what their joy of the day has been, and their moment of reflection instantly brings a smile to their face,” Case said. “I hope to dedicate my time and talents to this role so that others can see how many opportunities and moments of joy surround them at Ole Miss.”
Homecoming King
Traylan Williams is a law studies major from Cleveland, Miss. His slogan is “Tray’s the Way,” and his campaign is centered around mental health awareness. As Homecoming King, Williams wants to show other Black students and those who come from similar backgrounds as him that the limits to what they are capable of are endless.
“My campaign has been nothing short of amazing,” Williams said. “I’ve always wanted to run for Homecoming King. … I’ve met so many amazing people throughout the process and am so grateful for this opportunity.”
Williams is running unopposed.
Homecoming Queen
Lucy Huthnance is an elementary education major from Houston. She chose “Home is where the heart is” as her slogan, and “I Love Lucy” as her tagline. In this position, Huthnance hopes to give back to the university by sharing her Christian faith and advocating for the campus as a whole.
“I want this position simply because of how much I love the school,” Huthnance said. “Some things are too hard to put into words, and my love for Ole Miss has always been one of those things.”
Huthnance is running unopposed for Homecoming Queen.
Homecoming maid and campus favorite candidates
Freshman maid: Hattie Grey Garner, Shane Trosclair, Bella Hall, Annie Toler, Lucy Jones, Annalise Cox, Charlie Trayal, Kadynce Johnson and Josie Ogden
Sophomore maid: Savannah Sprague, Lydia Williams, Abby Aldrich, Lorelei Phillips, Margaret Ann Sullivan, Grace Brown and Lilla Watson
Junior maid: Ava Lindsey, Brooke Butler and Brooke Bumgarner
Senior maid: Sophie Pitts, Kenzie Obrien, Olivia Shannon and Autumn Howard
Campus favorite: Alexis Renee Heath, Amelia Sweeney, Anika Ravi, Brianna Szewczyk, Caroline Dedmon, Catherine Hardouin, Ella Grace Young, Emma Simpson, Gariuna Williams, Grace Hosemann, Hannah Lloyd, Laci Pitts, Laighton Green, Lindsey Cole, Mabry Musgrove, Maia Holden, Maya Reilly, Meredith Lovitt, Meril Lagasse, Myers Foxworth, Nathan Snell, Neelie Dillinger, Quinlynn Spearman, Reagan Stalling, Reese Plumlee, Samantha Alliston, Sara Rodgers Smith, Sophie Crane and Stella Allen
