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Augusta University Homecoming 2023: Meet the candidates

It’s the most spirited time of year: Homecoming! This year’s theme for the week-long celebration is Blue Vogue.

The 2023 Augusta University Homecoming Court elections will take place online. All degree-seeking and student activity fee-paying students will receive the ballot via university email Monday, Feb. 20, and voting will end Thursday, Feb. 23.

The election process is a combination of a popular vote from the student body and Homecoming Week event participation.

Homecoming Duke candidates

man smiling with vest and tie
Raymond Chen

Raymond Chen is a sophomore cellular and molecular biology major from Alpharetta.

Chen plans to attend medical school after completing his undergraduate studies to pursue a specialization in forensic pathology.

man smiling with white t-shirt
Caleb Chupp

Caleb Chupp is a sophomore Education major from Evans.

Chupp is part of an Army family and has four dogs.

man wearing a suit and tie
Alex Gonzalo

 

Alex Gonzalo is a freshman business administration major from Augusta.

Gonzalo traveled to Atlanta for a music networking event and had the opportunity to open the show.

man wearing a blazer and shirt
Tristan Lacey

 

Tristan Lacey is a sophomore psychology major born in Italy.

Lacey is an actor and plays soccer.

man wearing blazer and shirt
Cuyler Lewis

Cuyler Lewis is a freshman business administration major from Waycross.

Lewis is a first-generation college student and has a dog named Karo.

man wearing blazer and shirt
Omari Matthew

Omari Matthew is a freshman business administration major from Brooklyn, New York.

Matthew makes music and would like to become an influencer.

man wearing necklace
Matthew Merisme

Matthew Merisme is a sophomore business administration major from Loganville, Georgia.

Merisme is a triplet with two brothers.

Homecoming Duchess candidates

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Raiyna Bearden

Raiyna Beardon is a sophomore business administration major from Seneca, South Carolina.

Beardon is on Augusta University’s Jag Elite Dance team.

woman wearing red blouse
Eva-Solange Jospeh

Eva-Solange Joseph is a freshman pre-nursing major from Loganville, Georgia. 

Joseph enjoys traveling and playing sports such as tumbling, swimming and tennis.

woman wearing a pink blazer and smiling
Kendall Newsome

Kendall Newsome is a sophomore business administration major from Augusta.

Newsome is the assistant manager at a local boutique called The Ivy.

woman wearing white blouse
Katelen Selph

Katelen Selph is a communication major from Martinez.

Selph sang at the 2021 Augusta National Golf Club’s Members Dinner during Master’s Week.

woman wearing a gray blouse
Katelyn Workman

Katelyn Workman is a communication student from Evans.

Workman loves to travel and has been to Mexico and California.

Homecoming King candidates

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Ben Armistead

Ben Armistead is a junior business administration major from Griffin, Georgia.

Armistead has been on more than 12 different cruises to every island in the Bahamas.

man wearing a gray polo
Kalyb Bussey

Kalyb Bussey is a junior kinesiology major from Warrenton, Georgia.

Bussey’s favorite hobby is teaching himself how to play the piano.

man wearing suit and tie
Zach Feeney

Zach Feeney is a senior business administration major from Ball Ground, Georgia.

Feeney has bought and rebuilt a 1996 C4 LT4 Corvette from the inside out.

man wearing a suit, tie and vest
Lotem Kol

Lotem Kol is a junior cellular and molecular biology major from Alpharetta. 

Kol is originally from Israel and speaks four languages.

man wearing a gray sweater
Jaden Scott

Jaden Scott is a junior biology major from Jesup, Georgia.

Scott plans on pursuing a career in cosmetic dentistry. 

man wearing a purple shirt
Quinton Taylor

Quinton Taylor is a senior business administration major from LaGrange, Georgia.

Taylor is a huge anime fan and has a twin brother.

Homecoming Queen candidates

woman wearing a gray sweater
Lillian Arnold

Lillian Arnold is a junior nursing student from Alpharetta.

Arnold plans to become a pediatric nurse.

 

 

woman wearing a black dress
Stephanie Castillo

Stephanie Castillo is a senior social work major from Dallas, Georgia.

Castillo has traveled to her parents’ hometown in Mexico since the age of 4. Each year, she travels to give back. 

 

a woman wearing a pink shirt
Ramiah Cochran

Ramiah Cochran is a junior elementary education major from Augusta.

Cochran loves to express herself in various forms of art such as singing, dancing, writing and photography.
a woman wearing a green blouse
Arionna Gantt

Arionna Gantt is a senior communication major from Augusta.

Gantt enjoys trying new things and visiting new places.

 

a woman wearing a black dress
A'Nasia Monford

A’Nasia Monford is a senior psychology major from Greensboro, Georgia.

Monford has several small businesses, including being a
hairstylist and an amateur photographer.

 

woman wearing a blue blouse and black blazer
Janaya Wadsworth

Janaya Wadsworth is a senior cybersecurity major from Atlanta.

Wadsworth is a former AU basketball player and choreographs hip-hop dances.

 

woman wearing white coat and beige shirt
Britt Walleyn

Britt Walleyn is a senior dental hygiene major from Augusta.

Walleyn has a button business on Esty and Instagram.

 

a woman wearing a white blouse, black blazer and purple hair
Jillian Zaklikowski

Jillian Zaklikowski is a medicinal chemistry major from Buford.

She enjoys spending time with family by playing Dungeons and Dragons every Sunday.

 

 

 

King and queen candidates must be classified as a junior or above. Currently holding the coveted titles are Isaiah Maddox, a Health, Society, and Policy major , and Caroline Gibson, a physical therapy student.

The king and queen will be crowned at the Jaguar basketball games against Clayton State University Saturday, Feb. 25. The women’s game begins at 1:30 p.m. and the men’s game begins at 3:30 p.m.

Visit the Homecoming 2023 webpage for the full list of the university’s most spirited week of the year.

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Written by
Raysean Ricks

Raysean Ricks is a writer for Communications & Marketing at Augusta University. Contact him to schedule an interview on this topic or with one of our experts at 706-721-6144 or email him at rricks@augusta.edu.

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Written by Raysean Ricks

Jagwire is your source for news and stories from Augusta University. Daily updates highlight the many ways students, faculty, staff, researchers and clinicians "bring their A games" in classrooms and clinics on four campuses in Augusta and locations across the state of Georgia.

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