Ouachita Stories

Betsy Patterson, a senior secondary mathematics education major from Garland, Texas, was crowned Ouachita Baptist University’s 2019 Homecoming Queen before the Tiger football game on Saturday, Oct. 5. Patterson represented Campus Ministries, which she serves as a ministry leader. She also is involved in the Ouachita Wind Ensemble and is an Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club sweetheart. Patterson was escorted by her father, Bill Patterson.

“I am so honored to be the 2019 Homecoming Queen, and I feel so loved by the Ouachita community,” Patterson said.

Patterson was crowned by 2018 Homecoming Queen Molly Boone and received a bouquet from Ouachita President Ben Sells during the ceremony at Cliff Harris Stadium.

“I’m honestly still in shock about the whole thing,” Patterson said. “It was such a special day to celebrate and spend with friends and family.”

First runner-up was Addy Goodman, a senior mass communications and political science double major from Arkadelphia, Ark. Goodman represented The Signal student newspaper, which she serves as copy editor. Goodman is involved in the Ouachita Student Foundation and Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team. She was escorted by her father, David Goodman.

Two nominees tied for second runner-up: Maggie Donnell, a senior psychology and social justice double major from Rogers, Ark., and Jhonika Wright, a senior musical theatre major from Bowie, Md.

Donnell represented Student Senate. She is involved in Tri Chi women’s social club and ElderServe and is a Rho Sigma men’s social club sweetheart. Donnell was escorted by her father, Dr. Hugh Donnell.

Wright represented Chi Delta women’s social club. Wright is involved in Alpha Psi Omega national theatre honor society and is a Kappa Chi men’s social club little sister. She was escorted by her friend, Zachary Myers. 

Third runner-up was Selby Tucker, a senior accounting and political science double major from Hamburg, Ark. Tucker represented the Ouachita Student Foundation, which she serves as president. She is involved in EEE women’s social club and Student Senate, which she serves as internal vice president. Tucker was escorted by her father, Eddy Tucker.

Other top 21 Homecoming Court nominees include:

Brooke Bearden, a senior communication sciences & disorders major from Camden, Ark., represented the Ouachita Tiger Cheer Team. Bearden is involved in the Big Sister Program and EEE women’s social club. Bearden was escorted by her father, Scott Bearden.

Elisabeth Brown, a sophomore communication sciences & disorders and Christian studies double major from Sheridan, Ark., represented Gamma Phi women’s social club, which she serves as president. She was escorted by her father, Gary Brown.

Brittany Burr, a junior elementary education major from Shreveport, La., represented Tri Chi women’s social club’s pledge class of 2019. Burr is involved in Multicultural Student Programs and the America Counts Program. Burr was escorted by her brother, Brandon Burr.

Samantha Dixon, a senior graphic design major from Merrillville, Ind., represented Kappa Chi men’s social club. Dixon is involved in Tri Chi women’s social club and the Ouachita Art Club. She was escorted by her father, David Dixon.

Jazmyn Parker, a sophomore elementary education major from White Hall, Ark., represented the sophomore class. Parker is involved in EEE women’s social club and Kappa Delta Pi honor society for education. Parker was escorted by Ace Collins.

Emma Pitts, a senior music education major from Clarksville, Ark., represented the senior class. Pitts is involved in Tri Chi women’s social club, is a Kappa Chi men’s social club little sister and is external vice president of Student Senate. Pitts was escorted by her father, Jeremy Pitts.

Eden Putterill, a senior Christian studies and mass communications double major from Harare, Zimbabwe, represented the International Club. Putterill serves as a ministry leader for Campus Ministries and is a member of the cross country team. She was escorted by Ian Cosh, Ouachita’s vice president for community and international engagement.

Holly Shipp, a junior Christian studies major from Arlington, Texas, represented the Pruet Sisterhood, which she serves as a student leader. Shipp is involved in Campus Ministries’ New Student Ministry Team and Tri Chi women’s social club. Shipp was escorted by her father, Brian Shipp.

Catie Shirley, a senior biology major from Wylie, Texas, represented the American Chemical Society. Shirley is involved in EEE women’s social club, the Ouachita Student Foundation and the Carl Goodson Honors Program. She was escorted by her father, Jim Shirley.

Kyla Soden, a senior biology major from Cabot, Ark., represented the Ouachita Green Team. Soden is involved in the Big Sister Program, EEE women’s social club and the Ouachita Student Foundation. Soden was escorted by her father, Mike Soden.

Mallorie Svercauski, a senior graphic design major from Hot Springs, Ark., represented Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club. Svercauski is involved in Campus Ministries and Tri Chi women’s social club, which she serves as vice president. She was escorted by her brother, Tre Svercauski.

Mercedes Svercauski, a senior speech communications major from Hot Springs, Ark., represented Tri Chi women’s social club, which she serves as president. Svercauski is involved in Campus Ministries and is an Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club sweetheart. Svercauski was escorted by her father, Ed Svercauski.

Caroline Sweet, a senior secondary education and English double major from North Little Rock, Ark., represented Beta Beta men’s social club. Sweet is involved in EEE women’s social club and the Ouachita Tiger Cheer Team and is a Speer Writing Center consultant. She was escorted by her father, Bobby Sweet.

Laura Beth Warner, a junior Christian studies major from Benton, Ark., represented EEE women’s social club’s pledge class of 2018. Warner is involved in Campus Ministries leadership and Theta Alpha Kappa national honor society for religious studies and theology. She was escorted by her father, Krantz Warner.

Paige Williams, a junior accounting and finance double major from Springdale, Ark., represented the junior class. Williams is involved in EEE women’s social club and ElderServe and is a Campus Ministries LifeGroup leader. Williams was escorted by her father, Jeff Williams.

Olivia Wylie, a senior nutrition and dietetics major from El Dorado, Ark., represented EEE women’s social club’s pledge class of 2017. Wylie is involved in the Ouachita Student Foundation and Student Senate. Wylie was escorted by her father, Phil Wylie.

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Lead photo: Molly Boone (center left), 2018 Ouachita Homecoming Queen, crowned Betsy Patterson (center right) as 2019 Ouachita Homecoming Queen. Patterson was escorted by her father, Bill Patterson (far right), and recognized by Ouachita President Ben Sells (far left). Photos by Justin Trostle

• Tags:
• Awards/Honors
• Campus Ministries
• Homecoming