BROWNWOOD – September 28, 2026 – Howard Payne University has announced its 2026 Homecoming Court nominees. The students will be featured during the Homecoming parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3. Later that day, the Homecoming court will be crowned during halftime at HPU’s football game versus Nelson University at Gordon Wood Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Homecoming King nominees are Jacob Hill, Biak Sang and Nathan Weems. Queen nominees are Abigail Henderson, Elsa Leake and Kourtney Melton. Prince nominees are Manuel Chaco, Matthew Van Gorp and Emmanuel Young. Princess nominees are Dariany Cottle, Makenzie Estrada and Karly Hardy.
Homecoming King Nominees
Jacob Hill is a senior mathematics major from Hagerstown, Maryland. He is a member of the HPU baseball team. After college, he plans to become a high school math teacher and baseball coach.
Biak Sang is a senior Christian education major from Dallas. After college, he plans to serve full time in ministry wherever the Lord places him. He is a member of the Delta Epsilon Omega fraternity and is part of the worship gathering ministry for HPU’s Baptist Student Ministry (BSM).
Nathan Weems is a senior computer information systems major from Abilene who is planning for a career in tech support. He leads the free lunch ministry for HPU’s BSM and will star in the HPU theatre Homecoming performance of “The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical.”
Homecoming Queen Nominees
Abigail Henderson is a senior biomedical science major from Junction. She is part of the HPU volleyball team, a member of the Student Activities Council, president of Tri-Beta, a Kappa Alpha Gamma executive, a Sumners Scholar and a member of Gamma Beta Phi. After graduating, she plans to attend The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio with the goal of becoming a physician assistant.
Elsa Leake is a senior business administration major with a youth ministry minor from Georgetown. After graduation, she plans to pursue her master’s degree at HPU and find ways to serve in her local community.
Kourtney Melton is a junior history and Guy D. Newman Honors Academy major from Katy. She is on the BSM lead team; an officer for HPU’s craft organization, The Hobby Hive; head delegate for the Model United Nations team; a member of the choir; and an honorary member of Pi Theta Chi. After graduation, she plans to earn a master’s degree in public history and pursue a career as an educator at museums and historic sites.
Homecoming Prince Nominees
Manuel Chaco is a junior kinesiology major from Kempner. He is a member of HPU’s baseball team.
Matthew Van Gorp is a junior Christian education major from El Campo. He is a member of the BSM lead team, a resident assistant in Taylor Hall and president of Delta Epsilon Omega.
Emmanuel Young is a junior allied health major from Kilgore. He is a member of the Student Activities Council, a student worker for HPU’s Office of Admissions and president of Zeta Chi.
Homecoming Princess Nominees
Dariany Cottle is a junior theatre education major from Port Neches. She is in the HPU Yellow Jacket Band as well as the choir and theatre programs. After graduation, she plans to become a theatre teacher.
Makenzie Estrada is a junior nursing major from Kingwood. After college, she plans to continue her education to earn a master’s degree with plans to become a missionary midwife.
Karly Hardy is a junior criminal justice major from May. She is a resident assistant in Veda Hodge Hall and helps on the worship gathering ministry team of the BSM.
For more information about HPU’s Homecoming and a full schedule of events, visit www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
ABOUT HOWARD PAYNE UNIVERSITY
Howard Payne University, founded in 1889, is a Christ-centered liberal arts university in Brownwood, Texas, dedicated to preparing students for lives of faith, leadership and service. With more than 100 majors, minors and pre-professional programs across six schools, serving three locations, HPU combines academic excellence with meaningful personal connection in a close-knit campus community.
Guided by its five core values — centered on Christ, focused on community, called to service, committed to excellence and dedicated to stewardship — Howard Payne prepares students through rigorous academic programs, vibrant student life, competitive athletics and service opportunities that equip graduates to make an impact in their communities and professions.