The process to earn a place on Syracuse University’s Homecoming Court involves applying, interviewing and talking about the university’s history, in addition to what SU means to the applicants. The 10 final candidates spend the week prior to Homecoming Weekend proving to the campus why they should represent the Class of 2018 as part of the long-standing homecoming king and queen.

Here’s more about the court candidates and their process of joining the homecoming celebrations.

Obi Afriyie

Because of his busy schedule due to involvement in on and off campus groups, Afriyie said he has not thought much about promoting himself for the court.

Bella Carter

Throughout her four years at SU, Carter has been a campus tour guide, a community ambassador, an ambassador for the Martin J. Whitman School of Management and a volunteer with the Syracuse City School District. After hearing that she was on the ballot, Carter said she was excited about the prospect of representing her class.

Darriea Clark

Clark is using her connections on campus and her friends to spread the word about her candidacy. She plans to make flyers and hand them out on the Quad, but as of now she is relying on her friends and fellow students to get the word out.

Malcolm-Ali Davis

The singer and actor comes from Orange blood, as his parents and his three older siblings went to SU. He said his family is referred to as the “Davis 5.” His initial reluctance to attend the university quickly changed when he got more involved on campus. Davis said he hopes to give back to the community that has given so much to him and his family. So far, his campaigning efforts include social media and word of mouth.

Charles Frederick Keppler

Keppler said he’s running for Homecoming Court “to stay fit.” His real reason was to get involved with and represent SU before graduating. He said speaking with students with different mindsets has been one of his favorite parts of attending SU.

Michael Lehr

For Lehr, the application was about connecting with students on campus before becoming an alumnus. Lehr said being on the Court is an honor in itself, and he isn’t as focused on campaigning to be king.

Brandyn Munford

Munford reached out to the past two kings, who he knew from his involvement in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Black Reign Step Team and J.U.M.P., or Juvenile Urban Multicultural Program, Nation. Hoping to follow in his friends’ footsteps, Munford reached out to friends in student organizations, posted on social media and has been interacting with students he meets organically. Munford said being part of SU’s legacy, especially in the African American community, would be an honor because he would be part of the university’s history books.

Jacqueline Page

If chosen as queen, Page said she hopes to live up to her ROTC expectations. Her passion for the military and what it represents is one of her motivations for running. Page said she isn’t worried that social media and word of mouth won’t be enough since she is involved in ROTC.

LaNia Roberts

At the end of her freshman year, Roberts single-handedly organized her own motivational speech. More than 150 people showed up to the event, and she received a standing ovation. Along with using Snapchat and word of mouth to spread the love, her campaigning efforts have reached new heights with the release of a promo video Wednesday night, in which she dances on the Einhorn Family Walk.

Jen Sweet

Sweet has been involved with the homecoming planning committee since attending the fall involvement fair during her freshman year. She said she saw the court as an opportunity to represent her class and get involved one last time. Being involved in the homecoming process for four years has allowed her to understand what to expect for the week, Sweet said.

Published on October 4, 2017 at 11:31 pm

Contact Lydia: lnilesst@syr.edu