FSU's 2017 Homecoming Court Raises Funds for Charities

2017 Oct 31

Candidates for Frostburg State University's 2017 Homecoming Court raised a combined $5,370 for regional and national charitable organizations in the weeks before Homecoming, raising more than any previous year and $480 more than last year's effort.

In a program coordinated by the Student Government Association, the candidates were endorsed by 12 recognized University organizations to raise money and awareness for a charity of their choice during their campaign.

Ameyu Ayana, a representative from the Ethiopian Eritrean Student Association, won Homecoming Queen, and Bentley Ukonu, a representative from Relationship Goals, won Homecoming King. The two were announced as the winners at the annual pep rally on Oct. 19 and recognized during halftime at the Homecoming football game on Oct. 21.

Ayana raised $78 dollars for Habitat for Humanity, a global organization that aids families in finding stable housing. Ukonu's campaign donated $95 to the American Red Cross, a global disaster relief organization.

Stephanie Claar, from Colleges Against Cancer, was recognized for raising the most money for a charity. She raised $1,475 for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, a charity that strives to help cancer patients, find new research and push for governmental action in fighting the disease.

This year, FSU also had a prince and princess court for first-year or sophomore students. Kalyn Brown, representing the Black Student Alliance, was crowned princess, and Walter Tchougoue, representing the Student Government Association, was crowned prince. To qualify, the prince and princesses court candidates were required to collect toys for Toys for Tots. Chosen by vote of the student body population, the prince and princess were also crowned at the pep rally and recognized at the football game.

Other Homecoming Queen candidates were Melanie Campbell, representing Alpha Phi Omega, who raised $805 for Cumberland's YMCA; Claire Lauder, representing Alpha Sigma Tau, who raised $757.30 for the Western Maryland Food Bank; Sarah Burnhardt representing Delta Zeta, who raised $570 for the American Cancer Society; Sarina Smith, representing Alpha Sigma Alpha, who raised $465 for the Dove Center; Mykia Washington, representing the Social Work Alliance Club, who raised $215 for I Am the Way, the Truth and Life Charity Foundation; Nicole Leighty, representing the Student Government Association, who raised $170 for Holding Hands for Haley; Sarina Grant, representing the Black Student Alliance, who raised $145 dollars for Ronald McDonald House; and Foyinsola Olaloye, representing Paparazzi Perfect, who raised $109.55 for the Salvation Army Global. Another Homecoming King candidate was Austin Riley, representing the Burg Peer Education Network, who raised $485 for the Greater Houston Community Foundation.

Chosen by the popular vote, candidates running for king and queen were required to be sponsored by one of the University's organizations and pay an entry fee of $15 to the charity of their choice.

For more information, contact the FSU SGA at 301-687-4304.