Ouachita Stories

Hannah Goodrum, a senior biology major from Arkadelphia, Arkansas, was crowned Ouachita Baptist University’s 2025 Homecoming Queen during a pregame ceremony at Cliff Harris Stadium on Saturday, October 4. Goodrum represented the Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club and was escorted on the field by her husband, Tate Goodrum, a senior Christian studies major from Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

A member of the Carl Goodson Honors Program, a leader for Campus Ministries’ first-place Tiger Tunes show and an Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club sweetheart, Hannah stays active on Ouachita’s campus.

“I am unbelievably honored to represent OBU,” Goodrum said. “Every aspect of this university has fostered spiritual growth, community and a desire to pursue a life of meaningful work. Representing Ouachita means more than wearing a crown; it’s about embodying the heart of this place, celebrating the people who make it home, and encouraging others to discover the same joy, faith and belonging that have shaped my own story.”

Goodrum was crowned by Abby Moseley, Ouachita’s 2024 Homecoming Queen, and awarded flowers by Dr. Ben Sells, Ouachita’s president. 

First runner-up was Alli Hylkema, a senior political science and communications double major from Jackson, Tennessee. She represented Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where she serves on the leadership team. Hylkema is the president of the Pre-Law Society and a senior senator for Ouachita Student Senate. 

Second runner-up was Olivia Beene, a senior communication sciences and disorders major from Enola, Arkansas, representing the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. Beene is a member of Alpha Chi, the philanthropy co-chair for the Ouachita Student Foundation and a volunteer afterschool tutor at the Elrod Center.

Third runner-up was Silvi Cardona, a junior psychology and Christian foundations double major from Bogotá, Colombia. Cardona represented the International Club, where she serves as president. She is a Campus Ministries leader and a member of the Tri Chi women’s social club.

Fourth runner-up was Reese Hargrove, a senior secondary education major from Little Rock, Arkansas. Hargrove represented the Tri Chi women’s social club, where she serves as president. She is a member of the Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society and a Tiger Ambassador for Ouachita Admissions.

Ouachita’s Homecoming and Family Weekend was filled with many festivities, including five Tiger Tunes performances, the Purple Plaza Party on Friday and social club and alumni tailgates on Saturday before the homecoming game. The Tiger football team won against Oklahoma Baptist by a score of 35-13, marking their seventh straight homecoming victory.

The following students were also among the top 20 Homecoming Court nominees:

Sadie Buttram, a senior secondary education major from Springdale, Arkansas, represented the Kappa Chi men’s social club. In addition to being a Kappa Chi sweetheart, Buttram is a member of Ouachita Cheer, Ouachita Band and the Tri Chi women’s social club.

Emery Cash, a senior nutrition & dietetics major from Gosnell, Arkansas, represented the Student Dietetic Association, where she serves as vice president. Cash was an orientation leader during Welcome to Ouachita’s World and is a tutor for the Academic Success Center.

Anna Derby, a junior kinesiology major from Arkadelphia, Arkansas, represented Ouachita Gridiron Girls. Derby is a member of Ouachita Cheer, online media chair for the EEE women’s social club and vice president of Kinesiology Club.

Ashley Dillman, a senior biology major from Little Rock, Arkansas, represented Ouachita Student Senate, where she serves as president. Dillman runs for Ouachita’s track & field team and is a member of the EEE women’s social club.

Emma Kate Elliott, a senior communication sciences & disorders and Christian foundations double major from Conway, Arkansas, represented the Beta Beta men’s social club. Elliott is a member of the EEE women’s social club, where she serves as Tiger Tunes director. 

Ella Gay, a senior kinesiology major from Paragould, Arkansas, represented Kinesiology Club, where she serves as secretary. Gay is the intramural chair for the EEE women’s social club and a member of the Pre-Health Student Association.

Hope Ingold, a junior nursing major from Bryant, Arkansas, was Ouachita Student Senate’s junior representative. Ingold is a member of the EEE women’s social club, Student Nursing Association and the Tiger Serve Day Leadership Team.

Lexi Lunsford, a senior communications major from Mount Vernon, Texas, represented the Ouachita News Show. Lunsford is a member of Ouachita Student Senate and the Ouachita Student Foundation, and she also serves as spirit chair for the EEE women’s social club.

Addison McCaulley, a senior business administration/marketing major from Ozark, Arkansas, represented Ouachita Cheer, where she serves as captain. She is a member of the EEE women’s social club and is a sweetheart for Eta Alpha Omega men’s social club. 

Mckinley Melcher, a senior communications & media/strategic communications major from Rockwall, Texas, represented the Ouachita Photo Lab. Melcher serves as social chair for the EEE women’s social club and volunteers at the Elrod Center through ElderServe. 

Anna Claire Powers, a senior engineering/mechanical major from Nacogdoches, Texas, represented the EEE women’s social club, where she serves as president. Powers is a member of Alpha Chi and the Welcome to Ouachita’s World steering committee.

Allyson Rodgers, a senior elementary education major from McKinney, Texas, represented Kappa Delta Pi, where she serves as president. Rodgers is a member of the EEE women’s social club, where she serves as sisterhood chair. 

Grace Sexton, a senior business administration major from Little Rock, Arkansas, was Ouachita Student Senate’s senior representative. Sexton is a member of the EEE women’s social club, Model UN and Ouachita Pre-Law Society.

Raegan Swindle, a senior biomedical sciences major from Benton, Arkansas, represented Alpha Chi. Swindle is a member of the EEE women’s social club, the American Chemical Society and the Ouachita Student Foundation.

Anna Weeks, a junior elementary education major from Conway, Arkansas, represented Ouachita Dance, where she serves as captain. Weeks is the assistant Tiger Tunes director for the EEE women’s social club. 

Lead photo: Hannah Goodrum (front row, center), a senior biology major from Arkadelphia, Arkansas, was chosen as Ouachita Baptist University’s 2025 Homecoming Queen. Other Homecoming Court members included (front row, from left to right) third runner-up Silvi Cardona, a junior psychology and Christian foundations double major from Bogotá, Colombia; first runner-up Alli Hylkema, a senior political science and communications double major from Jackson, Tennessee; second runner-up Olivia Beene, a senior communication sciences and disorders major from Enola, Arkansas; and fourth runner-up Reese Hargrove, a senior secondary education major from Little Rock, Arkansas.