BROWNWOOD – October 24, 2016 – Howard Payne University has announced its 2016 Homecoming Court. The Homecoming queen and princess will be crowned Friday, October 28, at 2 p.m. during Homecoming Convocation in the university’s Mims Auditorium.
Homecoming queen nominees are seniors Jaclyn Bonner of Lytle, Elizabeth Rainey of Poolville and Sydney Spencer of Georgetown. Princess nominees are juniors Camila Cotter of San Antonio, Marissa Godbey of Austin and Adriana Mata of San Angelo.
Jaclyn Bonner, the daughter of Rosemary and James Bonner, is a communication major and sociology minor. She is the senior presiding senator of the Student Government Association, a leader within the Baptist Student Ministry and a columnist for the Yellow Jacket student newspaper. Additionally, she serves as a resident advisor, as a member of Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society and as a volunteer intern for Genuine College Ministry. Upon graduating from HPU, she would like to work with marginalized people groups abroad then return to the United States to begin a career in advocacy and government relations.
Elizabeth Rainey, an elementary education major, is the daughter of Susan and Richard Rainey. She is an honorary member of Pi Theta Chi, a local sorority founded at HPU in the spring of 2016. After graduating from the university, Rainey aspires to become an elementary reading specialist.
Sydney Spencer, the daughter of Tina and Eric Spencer, is a student in HPU’s Guy D. Newman Honors Academy majoring in social work and global studies. She is the Student Government Association President and president of Gamma Beta Phi National Honor Society. Additionally, she is an honorary member of Delta Chi Rho and is involved with Model United Nations, Pi Gamma Mu and the Social Work Club. Her career aspiration is to become an ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Council.
Camila Cotter, a music education major, is the daughter of Ivette and Michael Cotter. She is a member of the Chapel worship band, Pi Theta Chi, Gamma Beta Phi, Heritage Singers and the Concert Choir. Additionally, she serves as a resident assistant. Upon graduating from HPU, she aspires to become a high school choir teacher.
Marissa Godbey, the daughter of Tammie Kelley and Brent Godbey, majors in church music and music education with a minor in youth ministry. She serves on the Baptist Student Ministry leadership team and as president of new membership education and recruiting for Pi Theta Chi. She is a resident assistant, a member of the Heritage Singers and a section leader in HPU’s Concert Choir. After graduating from HPU, she would like to teach music in a low-income area while serving in a church. She also plans to earn a doctoral degree in choral conducting.
Adriana Mata, an elementary education major minoring in music performance, is the daughter of Gloria and Lupe Mata. She is a member of the Student Activities Council and an honorary member of Sigma Theta Phi. She aspires to become an elementary teacher to share her love of music with the next generation of musicians.
The Homecoming Court will be featured during the halftime show of the football game as HPU takes on McMurry University on Saturday, October 29. The game begins at 4 p.m. at Gordon Wood Stadium.
For a complete list of Homecoming 2016 activities, visit www.hputx.edu/homecoming.
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Cutline: Members of HPU’s 2016 Homecoming Court are, left to right, Sydney Spencer, Elizabeth Rainey, Jaclyn Bonner, Adriana Mata, Marissa Godbey and Camila Cotter.