Spartans are known around the world for their excellence in achievement, and the Homecoming Court members are great examples of Spartan ambassadors — this year’s court is no different.
The 2013 MSU Homecoming Court was announced last week, with 10 seniors chosen out of 68 applicants and given the task of representing their fellow students.
“It’s something I’ve dreamed of since freshman year,” Janisse Patino-Martinez said, a communication senior who was selected to the court.
Diversity, a wealth of life and MSU experiences and different community service backgrounds, both at home and abroad, are some of the key traits that make up the 2013 court, co-adviser to the MSU Homecoming Court Jodi Hancock said.
“We want them to be role models for prospective and current students,” Hancock said.
Hancock is one of three advisers for the Homecoming Court who are involved in the entire process, working closely with the MSU Alumni Association to recruit members of the community for the selection process and working to support and promote the members of the court.
“It was a difficult selection process; there were definitely more than 10 (applicants) who could have been on (the) court,” she said.
Last year, there were 12 members as an experiment, but this year it was decided that 10 members would be easier to manage, although more difficult to select, Hancock said.
“Such a diverse group of students was selected, and we represent the students at MSU well,” genetics senior Zachary DeRade said.
The members of the court have many duties in their yearlong commitment, such as appearing at community events and alumni reunions and, of course, standing on the football field at halftime of the Homecoming football game in the fall.
One such event is the Kedzie Reunion, where members of the court will meet Spartan alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago and participate in activities such as tours and an award ceremony.
“We are working to connect alumni back to the university,” Hancock said.
However, the court members still are students first, and have internships and other prior engagements, Hancock said.
For international relations senior Kara Brewer and other court members, the opportunity to meet fellow Spartans is one of the many rewards of the experience.
“There are some incredible people on court, and it’s been great to meet all of them,” Brewer said.
As diverse as this group is, the uniting factor among all of them is their love for MSU.
“The best part is we are all Spartans,” Patino-Martinez said. “We all connect on that level.”
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