Ouachita Stories

Hannah Bunch, a senior history and political science double major from Paragould, Ark., was crowned Ouachita Baptist University’s 2017 Homecoming Queen before the Tigers’ Homecoming football game on Oct. 7.

Bunch represented Ouachita’s Student Senate, which she serves as president, and was escorted by her father, Chris Bunch. She is involved in ElderServe and College Republicans and is a Kappa Chi men’s social club little sister.

“Ouachita has overwhelmed me today with their friendship,” Bunch said. “Each of the ladies on that field today are more than deserving, and they are truly queens to me. This is something I just can't fathom, but I'm so grateful.”

Bunch was crowned by 2016 Homecoming Queen Abby (Root) Curry and was presented a bouquet by Ouachita President Ben Sells during the ceremony at Cliff Harris Stadium.

 

 

First runner-up was JoBeth Guerra, a senior nutrition and dietetics major from Sanger, Texas. Guerra represented the Gridiron Girls. She is a manager for the football team, serves on leadership for Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a member of Chi Delta women’s social club. Guerra was escorted by her father, Josh Guerra.

 

 

 

 

Second runner-up was Haley Jo Wesson, a senior communication sciences and disorders major from Hot Springs, Ark. Wesson represented the Ouachita Student Foundation, which she serves as president. She also is a member of EEE women’s social club. Wesson was escorted by her father, Clark Wesson.

 

 

 

 

Third runner-up was Madison Polk, a senior elementary education major from Dallas, Texas. Polk represented Beta Beta men’s social club. She is involved in Tri Chi women’s social club, Refuge worship ministry and Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team. Polk was escorted by her father, Steven Polk.

 

 

 

 

Fourth runner-up was Jessica McCauley, a senior biology and business administration/management double major from North Little Rock, Ark. McCauley represented Kappa Chi men’s social club. She is a member of the Ouachita women’s soccer team, Tri Chi women’s social club and Enactus. McCauley was escorted by her father, Jeff McCauley.

 

 

 

Other top 20 Homecoming nominees include:

Amanda Abbud, a senior finance and business management major from Searcy, Ark., represented the Ouachita cheer squad. Abbud is involved in the Carl Goodson Honors Program, the Ary Student Investment Fund and EEE women’s social club. She was escorted by her father, Joseph Abbud.

Madison Biggers, a junior communication sciences and disorders major from Russellville, Ark., represented the junior class. Biggers is involved in the Ouachita cheer squad and EEE women’s social club and serves as vice president for Ouachita’s chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. She was escorted by her father, Bobby Biggers.

Meredith Bolin, a senior biology major from El Dorado, Ark., represented the Ben M. Elrod Center for Family and Community. Bolin is involved in ElderServe, Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team and Chi Mu women’s social club. She was escorted by her father, Tim Bolin.

Madison Burch, a freshman Christian studies major from Benton, La., represented the freshman class. Burch is on the Ouachita cheer squad and was escorted by her father, Shawn Burch.

Shelby Burchfield, a senior biology major from Benton, Ark., represented Tri Chi women’s social club. Burchfield is a member of the Ouachita Student Foundation and the American Chemical Society. She was escorted by her father, Darryl Burchfield.

Kendra Dinsmore, a junior marketing major from Bentonville, Ark., represented the Ouachita tennis team and Diamond Dolls. Dinsmore also is involved in volunteering with the Special Olympics. She was escorted by her father, Rick Dinsmore.

Maggie Donnell, a sophomore psychology and social justice studies double major from Rogers, Ark., represented the sophomore class. Donnell is a member of Tri Chi women’s social club, the Ouachita Student Foundation and Student Senate. She was escorted by her father, Hugh Donnell.

Margaret Geoffrin, a senior worship arts major from Hot Springs, Ark., represented Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club. Geoffrion is a member of EEE women’s social club and Welcome to Ouachita’s World new student orientation steering committee. She was escorted by her father, Robert Geoffrion.

Alicia Hamilton, a senior biology major from Searcy, Ark., represented EEE women’s social club’s 2016 pledge class. Hamilton is involved in the Carl Goodson Honors Program, Tri Beta biological honor society and the American Chemical Society. She was escorted by her father, Phillip Hamilton.

Hannah Hines, a senior musical theatre and mass communications double major from Russellville, Ark., represented Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club. Hines is involved in Tri Chi women’s social club, Alpha Psi Omega national theatre honor society and Ouachita Singers. She was escorted by her father, Greg Hines.

Ashley Lovely, a senior music education major from Van Alstyne, Texas, represented the Ouachita marching band. Lovely is involved in Wind Ensemble, ElderServe and Veritas women’s discipleship. She was escorted by her father, Mike Lovely.

Nonsi Nxumalo, a senior finance and business administration/management double major from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, represented the International Club. Nxumalo is a leader for the Multicultural Organization Reaching Equality and is a member of Enactus. She was escorted by Dr. Ian Cosh, Ouachita’s vice president for community and international engagement.

Kinzie Schmidt, a senior graphic design major from Little Rock, Ark., represented Campus Ministries. Schmidt is involved in OBU Art Club and Veritas women’s discipleship. She was escorted by her father, Eric Schmidt.

Ashley Sharpe, a senior Christian studies major from Houston, Texas, represented the Pruet Sisterhood. Sharpe is a Student Life Tiger Tunes director and is involved in Veritas women’s discipleship. She was escorted by her brother, Tristian Sharpe.

Megan Taylor, a sophomore Christian studies major from Alexandria, La., represented EEE women’s social club’s 2017 pledge class. Taylor is a Campus Ministries leader and was escorted by her father, James Taylor.

 

By Sarah Davis // Lead photo (download full image here): Ouachita's 2017 Homecoming Queen, Hannah Bunch (center), gathers with members of the Homecoming Court (from left): Jessica McCauley, fourth runner-up; Haley Jo Wesson, second runner-up; JoBeth Guerra, first runner-up; and Madison Polk, third runner-up. Photo by John Bunch.

 

October 10, 2017