Ouachita Stories

Allison Cornell, a senior mass communications major from Allen, Texas, was crowned Ouachita Baptist University’s 2010 Homecoming Queen during Ouachita’s pre-homecoming game ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 23.

Cornell and other members of the court were presented to the Homecoming crowd at A.U. Williams Field, followed by the kickoff of the Homecoming game against the University of North Alabama.

“When they had called the first four members of the court, I figured my chances were gone,” Cornell said. “Then when they called my name for queen, it just all seemed surreal.”

Cornell represented Ouachita’s student newspaper, The Signal, where she serves as a writer. She is also involved in OBU’s ElderServe program. She was escorted by her father, Frank Cornell.

Ouachita President Rex Horne and OBU’s 2009 Homecoming Queen, Haley Nolan, crowned Cornell. Nolan is a 2010 graduate currently serving as Ouachita’s assistant director of Campus Ministries.

“I was ecstatic about crowning Allison. She is a leader within the walls of Ouachita and throughout the community,” Nolan said. “She loves and serves others, and I was so excited that the student body of Ouachita recognized these qualities and chose to crown her as their new queen.”

The 2010 Homecoming Court included Amy Campbell, Jennifer “Pooh” White, Kezia Nanda and Julielle Vaught.

“I know I'll never forget the memories that were made that weekend with the court and my friends who supported me,” Cornell said. “I feel really blessed, and I'm so thankful for the experience.”

First runner-up was Amy Campbell, a freshman biology major from Russellville, Ark. Campbell represented the freshman class and was escorted by her father, Craig Campbell. She is also involved in Campus Ministries and ElderServe.

Second runner-up was Jennifer “Pooh” White, a senior Christian studies major from Stuttgart, Ark. White represented Kappa Chi Men’s Social Club’s 2010 pledge class and was escorted by her father, Ricky White. She is a Little Sis of Kappa Chi and is also involved in Tri Chi Women’s Social Club.

Third runner-up was Kezia Nanda, a junior psychology and speech communication major from Jakarta, Indonesia. Nanda represented the International Club and was escorted by Ian Cosh, Ouachita’s vice president for community and international engagement. She is involved in the International Club and ElderServe.

Fourth runner-up was Julielle Vaught, a senior studio art major from Little Rock, Ark. She represented Campus Ministries and was escorted by her fiancé, Ben Sears. She is involved in Campus Ministries and is a sweetheart for Eta Alpha Omega Men’s Social Club.

Presented to the Ouachita student body during the weekly chapel service, court members were nominated by campus clubs, classes and organizations. After the service, students were given the opportunity to vote for the court by casting ballots for their top five choices. The results were not announced until the Oct. 23 pre-game ceremony.

After the game Saturday afternoon, Cornell and the four runners-up were introduced on stage during the final show of Tiger Tunes, an annual fund-raising and entertainment event hosted by the Ouachita Student Foundation (OSF).

Other contestants in the field of thirty-five Ouachita Baptist University students who competed for the title of 2010 Homecoming Queen included:

Nikki Anderson, a junior choral music education major from Heber Springs, Ark., represented Rho Sigma Men’s Social Club and was escorted by her father, Greg Anderson. She is a sweetheart for Rho Sigma and a member of EEE Women’s Social Club.

Annaliese Clark, a sophomore mass communications major from St. Louis, Mo., represented the OBU Swim Team and was escorted by her father, Greg Clark. She is also involved in Crossroads Bible Study.

Gabrielle Coleman, a senior kinesiology and education major from North Little Rock, Ark., represented Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was escorted by her father, Tim Moore. She is a member of the OBU Women’s Basketball Team and Reaching Out to Multi-cultural Students.

Leanne Cushman, a senior Christian studies major from Springdale, Ark., represented the Elrod Center for Family and Community and was escorted by her step-father, Dave Brinkman. She is a member of the Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team and Tri Chi Women’s Social Club.

Lauren DeWitt, a junior pre-nursing major from Arkadelphia, Ark., represented OBU Gridiron Girls and was escorted by her father, Dr. Terry DeWitt. She is also involved in Rho Sigma Men’s Social Club as a sweetheart and EEE Women’s Social Club.

Heather Ederington, a senior psychology major from El Dorado, Ark., represented Chi Rho Phi Women’s Social Club and was escorted by her father, Terry Ederington. She is also involved in ElderServe and College Republicans.

Kelly Ferguson, a sophomore communication sciences and disorders major from Benton, Ark., represented Tri Chi Women’s Social Club and was escorted by her father, Wyatt Ferguson. She served as Tri Chi’s 2010 pledge class president and is a member of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association.

Jessica Fleeman, a junior biology major from Manila, Ark., represented Beta Beta Men’s Social Club and was escorted by her father, Charlie Fleeman. She is involved in EEE Women’s Social Club as Tiger Tunes co-director and Jessica June Photography.

Emilie Gill Gorman, a senior graphic design major from Shreveport, La., represented Eta Alpha Omega Men’s Social Club and was escorted by her father, Bruce Gill. She is a sweetheart for Eta Alpha Omega and works as a graphic designer for Ouachita’s news bureau.

Meg Gosser, a senior mass communications and speech communication major from Coppell, Texas, represented Panhellenic Council and was escorted by her father, John Gosser. She is a member of EEE Women’s Social Club and is involved in Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

Rachel Griffith, a senior software engineering major from Greenwood, Ark., represented EEE Women’s Social Club and was escorted by her father, Carl Griffith. She is also involved in College Republicans and Clark County Cancer Society.

Andrea Hare, a junior elementary education major from Hope, Ark., represented the junior class and was escorted by her father, Randy Hare. She is involved in EEE Women’s Social Club and Student Senate.

Cassie Harrell, a senior mass communications major from Ruston, La., represented the Ouachitonian yearbook and was escorted by her father, David Harrell. She serves as co-editor of the Ouachitonian.

Leah Harrington, a junior biology major from Hot Springs, Ark., represented the Tiger Spirit Squads and was escorted by her father, David Harrington. She serves as captain of the Cheer Squad and social chair of EEE Women’s Social Club.

Leah Jones, a senior instrumental music education major from Burkburnett, Texas, represented Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority and was escorted by her father, Chris Jones. She is also a member of Chi Rho Phi Women’s Social Club.

Kelsey Kearney, a junior mass communications major from Pine Bluff, Ark., represented Reaching Out to Multi-cultural Students and was escorted by her father, John Kearney. She is also a 2010 Tiger Tunes hostess and is involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Lauren Lefler, a senior Spanish and secondary education major from Conway, Ark., represented Tri Chi Women’s Social Club and was escorted by her father, Mike Lefler. She is involved in Big Brothers and Big Sisters as well as the Tiger Nation Steering Committee.

Katie Luff, a senior early childhood education major from Colorado Springs, Colo., represented Panhellenic Council and was escorted by her father, Bob Luff. She is a little sis for Kappa Chi Men’s Social Club and is a member of Tri Chi Women’s Social Club.

Kelly Magee, a senior communication sciences and disorders major from Conway, Ark., represented Student Senate and was escorted by her father, Jimmy Magee. She is a member of Tri Chi Women’s Social Club and Ouachita Student Foundation.

Hannah Moon, a senior graphic design major from Rockwall, Texas, represented Chi Delta Women’s Social Club and was escorted by her father, Tom Moon. She serves as president of Chi Delta and is also involved in College Republicans.

Bethany Moss, a senior Christian studies major from Mesquite, Texas, represented the senior class and was escorted by her father, Charlie Moss. She is a little sis for Kappa Chi Men’s Social Club and is a member of Tri Chi Women’s Social Club.

Emily Parker, a sophomore early childhood education major from Shreveport, La., represented EEE Women’s Social Club’s 2010 pledge class and was escorted by her father, Steve Parker. She is involved in Student Senate and Gridiron Girls.

Ashley Partridge, a senior musical theatre major from Russellville, Ark., represented Theta Alpha Phi National Theatre Honors Fraternity and was escorted by Daniel Inouye, assistant professor of theatre arts. She is a member of Tri Chi Women’s Social Club and Women’s Chorus.

Haley Jo Prowell, a junior business administration finance and management major from Rogers, Ark., represented Students in Free Enterprise and was escorted by her father, Rob Prowell, and her step-father, Ward Gill. She is a member of the Student Advisory Board and EEE Women’s Social Club.

Juliana Ragsdale, a senior communication sciences and disorders major from Cabot, Ark., represented Chi Delta Women’s Social Club’s 2009 pledge class and was escorted by her father, Haynes Ragsdale. She is also a member of Panhellenic Council.

Katelyn Smith, a junior dietetics major from Longview, Texas, represented the Dietetics Club and was escorted by her father, Brent Smith. She is a member of the OBU Women’s Golf Team and Ouachita Student Foundation.

Callie Stephens, a senior mass communications major from Conway, Ark., represented Ouachita Student Foundation and was escorted by her husband, Ben Stephens. She serves as co-president of OSF and editor of Ouachita’s Photo Lab.

Samantha Street, a sophomore accounting major from Rogers, Ark., represented the sophomore class and was escorted by her father, Scott Street. She is involved in the OBU Women’s Tennis Team and EEE Women’s Social Club.

Jillian Vire, a senior early childhood education major from Burleson, Texas, represented Kappa Chi Men’s Social Club and was escorted by her father, Craig Vire. She is also involved in EEE Women’s Social Club and the Ouachita Student Foundation.

Becca Watts, a senior mass communications major from Smackover, Ark., represented the Ouachitonian yearbook and was escorted by her father, Leland Watts. She serves as co-editor of the Ouachitonian and as choreographer for the Campus Ministries Tiger Tunes show.

For information on the Tigers' 23-24 overtime victory over North Alabama, visit www.obutigers.com.

By Breanne Goodrum