Howard Payne University crowned the Homecoming Queen and Princess and, for the first time, Homecoming King and Prince during the university’s Homecoming 2019 Convocation ceremony on Friday, Nov. 1.
Melinda Mendoza, senior from Houston, and Kendall Moore, senior from Mesquite, were named Homecoming Queen and King, respectively. Jenna Stuard, junior from Kaufman, and Cecil Banks, junior from Bryan, were named Homecoming Princess and Prince, respectively.
Additional members of the Homecoming Court were Adrien Barrientos, junior from Little Elm; Caleb Callaway, junior from Early; Sawyer Fisher, senior from Bertram; Morgan Patterson, senior from Kerrville; Sarah Ramos, senior from Pflugerville; Harlei Struck, junior from Crandall; Kira Teel, junior from San Antonio; and Cade Varrichio, senior from Arlington.
Mendoza is the daughter of the late Shelley Martinez and Mauro Mendoza. She is the sister of Melanie Gomez and brother-in-law Jorge Gomez, who serve as her beloved guardians. A kinesiology major with an emphasis in education, she is a member of the HPU softball team, Chi Alpha Omega and Kappa Delta Pi. Additionally, she works as a staff member at the HPU Wellness Center.
Moore is the son of Cathy and Donald Moore. A kinesiology major, Moore’s campus involvement includes intramurals and the Student Activities Council. He serves as president of the Student Government Association and is a resident assistant for Newbury Place Apartments.
Stuard is the daughter of Cheryl and John Stuard. A psychology major, Stuard is a member of the HPU women’s soccer team, vice president of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, chaplain of Chi Alpha Omega, a speaker and mentor for Ron Jackson Juvenile Correctional Facility, a Yellow Rose Scholarship recipient and a student assistant for the HPU football team. Additionally, she is involved with the Student Activities Council, Gamma Beta Phi, Pi Gamma Mu and Psi Chi.
Banks, the son of Tasha and Cecil Banks, II, is a kinesiology major. He is the president of the Black Student Association, a senator in Student Government Association, a member of the Student Activities Council and a leader of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Additionally, he is a student assistant coach for the HPU football team.
Barrientos, the son of Chandor Barrientos, is a nursing major. His campus involvement includes serving as vice president of HOSA and is a member of Tri Beta.
Callaway, the son of Mandy and Brian Callaway, is a strategic communication major. His campus involvement includes the Chapel Band and Delta Epsilon Omega. He is a youth volunteer at Heartland Church and a member of the Christian Association of Student Leaders. Additionally, he is a student worker in the HPU’s mail room.
Fisher, the son of DeAnne and Randal Fisher, is a business administration and strategic communication major. He is a charter member and current historian of Delta Epsilon Omega, a Free Lunch ministry leader with the Baptist Student Ministry (BSM), a member of the Student Planning Committee and a Jacket Ambassador. Additionally, he serves as historian for the 2019 BSM Leadership Team, a small group leader at First United Methodist Church in Brownwood and a 2019 Christian Association of Student Leaders conference coordinator. He is also involved with HPU intramurals.
Patterson, the daughter of Katherine and Jack Patterson, is a biomedical science and Guy D. Newman Honors Academy major. She serves as the Chi Alpha Omega PRHR, HOSA historian, Tri Beta vice president, Fellowship of Christian Athletes secretary and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee vice president. She is also a member of Gamma Beta Phi and the HPU women’s soccer team.
Ramos, the daughter of Anna and Eric Ramos, is a business management major. Her campus involvement includes the Student Planning Committee, Student Activities Council and Jacket Ambassadors. She is also the treasurer of Delta Chi Rho, a senior senator in Student Government Association, a Jacket Journey leader and a student worker in HPU’s Office of Admission. Additionally, she is a program facilitator for Girl Scouts of Central Texas.
Struck, the daughter of Kaycee and Jeremie Struck, is a business management major. Her campus involvement includes the Women to Women club, “The Yellow Jacket” student newspaper and the Jacket Journey event staff. She is secretary of Student Government Association, a member of Delta Chi Rho, a member of the Student Activities Council and a student worker at the Wellness Center. Additionally, she is a student assistant for the HPU softball team.
Teel, the daughter of Kim and Chet Teel, is a nursing major. She is a member of HPU women’s soccer team, participates in Potential New Member Recruiting for Chi Alpha Omega, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Biological Honors Society and HPU intramurals. She also is the historian for Tri Beta and HOSA secretary.
Varrichio, the son of Marie and Anthony Varrichio, is a business marketing major. He is a member of the HPU baseball team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and honorary member of Chi Alpha Omega. Additionally, he serves as the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and an intramural referee.
The Homecoming Court was recognized during the halftime show of the HPU Yellow Jacket football team’s Homecoming game against Sul Ross State University on Saturday, November 2.
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Cutline #1: Pictured are Tom Trujillo and Coming Home Queen Elia Trujillo; Homecoming King Kendall Moore; Homecoming Queen Melinda Mendoza; Cade Varrichio; Sarah Ramos; Sawyer Fisher; and Morgan Patterson.
Cutline #2: Pictured are Adrien Barrientos; Harlei Struck; Caleb Callaway; Kira Teel; Homecoming Prince Cecil Banks; and Homecoming Princess Jenna Stuard.