On Sept. 21, 2021 students at Northwestern State University of Louisiana cast their votes for the 2021 Homecoming Honor Court. As homecoming approaches, some students are reflecting on the nomination process.

“How much do you have to do to get noticed?” said Emily Synder, a junior art major. “To have four nominations from, like, groups, that’s a lot.”

According to the requirements implemented by the Student Government Association, to qualify for homecoming court a student must be enrolled full-time at Northwestern State University of Louisiana and be a junior or senior, as defined by the university catalog.

Students must also be in good academic standing with at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA, must receive four or five nominations from certified recognized student organizations and must not have previously served as king or queen.

Mary-Katherine Horton, director of Fraternal Leadership and Civic Engagement, said the homecoming nomination qualifications are reviewed annually.

“SGA reads these requirements each year,” said Horton. “They might see a need for a change, and they’ll ask around for opinions.”
Synder said it’s impressive.

“No one is really well known in college,” said Synder. “I think you have to do so much for multiple people to know you outside of your regular circle.”

Yonna Pasch, director of Student Activities and Organizations, said the number of nominations required used to be three.

“That was a change SGA voted on based on the need at the time,” said Pasch.

Pasch said organizations create their own policies for how or whom they nominate.

“Their policy typically with SGA is that you have to have a meeting,” said Pasch. “Only the president can submit on behalf of the organization.”

Pasch said organizations can nominate non-members.

“A lot of groups nominate anyone outside of the organization,” said Pasch. “Just to give that opportunity for those students to get a chance to be on the ballot, and then voted on by the student body.”

Leo Langdon, junior art major, said it might set a bias.

“How do you know if those people actually know you,” said Langdon. “Telling them about yourself seems like the only way to make this accomplishable.”

Horton felt that students are looking to vote for a person they know and see in multiple organizations.

“They should be involved on campus, and they should be well rounded academically,” said Horton.

Ava-Claire Burks, junior social work major, said she voted.

“I do feel like homecoming has always been a popularity contest,” Burks said. “I’m not really into stuff like that.”

Pasch said it’s a peer nomination.

“You have been recognized for your efforts,” said Pasch. “That speaks volumes to the character and the person that these individuals are.”

Correction – Oct. 19, 2021

The word casted was corrected to cast.