Shane Sanders and Kaci Vandergrift were named Homecoming King and Queen at Saturday’s Homecoming game, and discussed what tactics they used to win the crown.
Senior sports management major, Shane Sanders grew up in Toronto, Ohio in a rural, country town. He said that Slippery Rock is a great fit for him and the campus is a great size. Sanders said that he came here because the cheerleading team was nationally ranked and that the sport management program is one of the best. Sanders was also a member of the co-ed cheerleading squad for two years and he is a mentor for the sport management program.
Sanders said that being it was his last semester on campus, he wanted to do something fun.
“It was so nice to have a weekend where I didn’t have to worry about school,” Sanders said.
He said that his friends gave him inspiration to run and a lot of support throughout the running.
Junior health and physical education major, Kaci Vandergrift is the traditions vice president of the Green and White Society, treasurer for the Health and Physical Education Club, member of the Fit Club, a jumpstart mentor, an athletic student worker and she is also involved in SRU’S club volleyball. Vandrgrift is heavily involved with the planning of many events within the organizations she is a part of and managing various activities. She stated that she is a big advocate for the student body and also with promoting Slippery Rock.
Vandergrift grew up near the Pittsburgh area and played volleyball and ran track throughout high school. She was also on Homecoming Court in high school, so she said she knew the process well.
“My biggest inspiration was from my friends and the Green and White Society,” Vandergrift said.
She said the Green and White Society nominated her to run initially.
Sanders and Vandergrift both said that campaigning is a huge part of the process and going out of your way to talk to people and making yourself known plays a big role in becoming homecoming king and queen.
“If you are going to run for king or queen you need to let the student body know who you are,” Sanders said.
Sanders and Vandergrift also said that they had fair chances as candidates but that anybody could have won.
Sanders said that students who are interested in running for Homecoming King or Queen in the future shouldn’t be afraid to get their name out and really promote themselves.
Sanders said that he was ecstatic and overwhelmed when he heard his name.at the same time. Vandergrift also said she was in complete shock when she was announced as queen.
“I was speechless and in complete shock when I heard that I had won, and I couldn’t have done it without the people that supported me,” Vandrgrift said.
