Spencer Thompson and Andrea Muhlestein are the U’s 68th Homecoming king and queen.
The royals were not elected based on popularity, but rather on academics, community service and how they have given back to the U, said Lissy Black, senior class president.
The king and queen, along with the four runners-up, won a scholarship toward next semester’s tuition.
Muhlestein is currently the president of the basketball MUSS, a member of the student alumni association and a former member of the executive cabinet for the student government.
“Homecoming is something that is often overlooked. I felt that, if I was elected, I could get a lot of people excited that are in the many organizations I’m involved in, and that would raise attendance at the different events,” she said.
Thompson, president of Sigma Gamma Chi and a former Project Youth leader at the Bennion Center, was in charge of a fund-raiser last spring that brought in more than $10,000 for a school for the deaf in Africa.
“I was surprised to hear I won,” Thompson said. “I’m not sure I am the most deserving person.”
The Homecoming royalty will help judge the greek house-decorating competition and songfest, and will attend all the events throughout the week.
Black and members of her board selected the finalists after they had submitted applications and rsums to the student government explaining their academic accomplishments, community service and how they have given back to the U.
Each finalist gave a five-minute presentation to the three-person panel, stating why he or she would make a good king or queen.
Thompson made a giant puzzle with different activities he had been involved in written on the different pieces. He talked about each one individually, then turned the pieces over to make a giant U.
“I was trying to do something that would make me unique and stand out,” Thompson said.
The first attendant to the queen is Cassi Anderson; the second is Laura Bitner.
The first attendant to the king is Jacob Kirkham; the second is Andrew King.