The 2012 Washburn Homecoming candidates have been announced, and the voting links are now open. Students can vote for their favorite king and queen candidate on the MyWashburn home page. The nominees were introduced during Monday night’s Homecoming Ball. Five king and queen candidates are  this year’s Homecoming royalty, representing degree programs ranging from biology to elementary education and criminal justice.

“I feel very humbled to be a candidate,” said Caprice Cortez, senior radiology major. Cortez is the vice-president of the Washburn Student Government Association, and the ritual chairwoman for Zeta Tau Alpha. “I’m actually shocked that I was nominated.  I know all of the other candidates, and I think they are amazing people,” said Cortez.

The process of nominating and selecting Homecoming candidates is a rigorous one. Washburn student organizations must first nominate their king and queen candidates, respectively. Those chosen students must then fill out an application and submit it to the Student Activities and Greek Life office. 

“We want upstanding and high-character people for Washburn’s king and queen,” said Jessica Barraclough, director of SAGL. 

Next, a committee of judges will interview the candidates, and rate them based on SAGL’s guidelines. All candidates must meet certain requirements:

*They must be a Washburn student in good standing, having earned a minimum of 72 credit hours, and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.6 or above.

*Upon completing the application, they must allow university personnel to verify all of their student information. This includes grades, credit hours and conduct code status.

*They must participate in Homecoming activities such as Yell Like Hell and the parade, and participate in a personal interview with the committee of judges.

“The judges had a really hard decision this year,” said Barraclough. “I always joke that I’m glad I don’t have to be a judge. I wouldn’t know who to pick”

According to Barraclough, this year saw the highest amount of applicants ever, at 32, for Homecoming court. 

“I’ve been doing court selection process for four years, and I’m definitely seeing an increase in participation,” said Barraclough.  “I think the student body is catching on and participating more. It gives their organization more PR;  they’re having fun and getting recognition.”

Voting is currently open on the MyWashburn home page. Candidates may vote for themselves, but Cortez is placing her vote on someone else.

“I’m actually voting for one of my sorority sisters,” said Cortez. “All of the candidates this year are great people.”

For the entire week, candidates wear a ribbon pinned to their clothing, announcing to the entire campus that they are Homecoming nominees. The Homecoming king and queen will be crowned on Saturday, Oct. 27, during the half-time ceremony of the football game.

“I feel comfortable and content,” said Cortez. “It makes this week that much more exciting.”

The Homecoming festivities continue for the rest of the week. For more information and a list of homecoming activities, visit www.washburn.edu/homecoming.