Kyle Sheely and Amanda Schmalz were elected Penn State’s 2012 Homecoming prince and princess.
“I think I was nominated because about a year ago, I started the Penn State Class of 2016 Facebook page which now has over 3,000 members,” Sheely (freshman-Spanish, German and global studies) said.
Sheely, along with the other administrators of the group, answered all of their classmates’ questions regarding housing, football tickets and all their other concerns, or referred them to someone who could.
“I hope the freshman class views me as a leader,” Sheely said.
Schmalz (freshman-science) said she thinks she was nominated because she is a good representation of the freshman class. She also added that First Year Homecoming Court helped her transition into Penn State and meet new people.
First year court was introduced last year and this is the first year Penn State has elected a Homecoming prince and princess.
Royalty Director Malik Richardson said first year court was started to increase freshman involvement with Homecoming.
First year court gives freshmen a taste of Homecoming, Executive Director Bridgette Carrier said.
It is usually difficult to get first year students involved in Homecoming because they are still adjusting to college but first year court is a way to promote Homecoming to the freshman class, Carrier said.
Nomination week is held in Findlay Commons, where freshmen can nominate their friends or their floormates for first year court, Richardson said. Then the nominees are notified and complete an application. After an interview, four female and four male candidates are selected for first year court.
During the East Halls Celebration, students were able to see the first year court and just how dedicated they are, Richardson said. The court also performed a choreographed dance routine for the students.
Voting was open for two hours in Findlay Commons on Oct. 1 during the East Halls Celebration.
Voting exceeded expectations, Richardson said. More than 450 students cast their votes for Homecoming prince and princess.
The entire first year court can be seen together throughout Homecoming week, Sheely said. They will be walking together in the homecoming parade and attending the alumni dinner as a group. Schmalz said the group will also be attending the Homecoming football game together.
