Augusta University
Raysean RicksIt’s the most spirited time of year: Homecoming! The week kicks off Sunday, Feb. 13 with the theme “The Pride Continues.”
The 2022 Augusta University Homecoming Court elections will take place online. All degree-seeking and student activity fee-paying students will receive the ballot via their university email on Monday, Feb. 14. Voting ends on Thursday, Feb. 17. The election process is a combination of a popular vote from the student body and Homecoming Week event participation.
Here are the 2022 Homecoming Court candidates:
Luke Anderson, a sophomore pre-nursing major from Powder Springs, Georgia
- member of Black Student Union
- volunteered in the Endoscopy Suite at AU Health
Ben Armistead, a sophomore business administration major from Griffin, Georgia
- vice president of Pi Kappa Phi
- Orientation Leader
- volunteer as an umpire for recreational baseball
Vikashprithvi Ayyappan, a freshman cell and molecular biology major from Evans, Georgia
- volunteer for MedLife
- manager for the Sharkara Bollywood Dance Team
- senator for the Undergraduate Student Government Association
Matthew Metty, a sophomore biology major from Brunswick, Georgia
- alumni relations officer for Delta Chi
- volunteered at Keep Golden Isles Beautiful trash pickup
- volunteered at 5Ks, 10Ks and half marathon races for Quintanar Running Company
Homecoming Duchess candidates
Raiyna Bearden, a freshman pre-nursing major from Seneca, South Carolina
- member of the Jag Elite Dance Team
- volunteered at Dream Center Rehabilitation Center for Women
- worked in Clemson Football Concessions
Susan Bishop, sophomore pre-nursing major from Madison, Georgia
- president of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority
- team leader for Richmond County YoungLife
- social media specialist for Living Life Team, Inc.
Kaliope Jordan, sophomore pre-nursing major from Grovetown, Georgia
- chaplain of Alpha Chi Omega
- participated in 2nd annual Domestic Violence Awareness Walk in North Augusta
- participated in Lydia’s Project
Rianna McGahee, freshman art major from Augusta
- volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House
- donated 100 bars of zest soap to Hurricane Dorian victims
Makayla Xiong, a sophomore biology major from Rock Hill, South Carolina
- member of Zeta Tau Alpha
- Orientation Leader
- president of Asia Club
Duke and duchess candidates must be classified as a freshman or sophomore. Currently holding the crowns are Justin Goddard, a digital marketing major, and Krina Patel, a nursing student.
The duke and duchess will be crowned at the Homecoming Dance Party at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18 in the Dr. Roscoe Williams Ballroom in the Jaguar Student Activities Center. There will be a live DJ to set the school-spirited vibes.
Homecoming King candidates
Jorden Crawford, a senior kinesiology major from Grovetown, Georgia
- vice president of the Eta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
- member of the Black Student Union
- participant of the African American Male Initiative
Jabari Harris, a nursing student from Atlanta
- council member of the Omega Eta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
- has donated necessities to the homeless population of downtown Augusta
- participated in community clean-up events in the Metro Atlanta area
Darryl Hobbs, a junior accounting major from Villa Rica, Georgia
- an assistant manager salesman
- member of the AAMI
- participated in a car wash fundraiser
Krishna Kolluri, a junior cell and molecular biology major from Tucker, Georgia
- founder and president of the Indian Student Organization
- comptroller on the Undergraduate SGA
- president-elect for the Indian Cultural Exchange
Maximiliano Lozano, a senior business and spanish double major from Augusta
- vice president for his class in Delta Chi
- fundraising chair for Delta Chi
- participated in Clean Up McDowell, a Delta Chi event
Isaiah Maddox, a junior majoring in health, society, and policy from Covington, Georgia
- 1828 Ambassador
- ROTC cadet currently in the position of platoon sergeant for Head Quarters Detachment
- mentor for Multicultural Student Engagement
Jack West, a junior business major from Augusta
- director for recruitment for the Interfraternity Council
- chaplain of the Pi Kappa Phi Executive Council
- participated in the Riverwalk clean up
Homecoming Queen candidates
Priscilla Ajala, a junior chemistry major from Loganville, Georgia
- executive board secretary for the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students
- youth ministry leader
- member of the Jaguar Track team
NiaLania Battle, a senior kinesiology major from Warner Robins, Georgia
- member of the Tau Phi Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
- 1828 Ambassador
- R.O.A.R. Camp Mentor
Alexis Ezeanii, a junior cell and molecular biology major from Roswell, Georgia
- Chief Justice for Undergraduate SGA
- member of Alpha Chi Omega
- ambassador for the College of Science and Mathematics
Caroline Gibson, a junior kinesiology major from Gainesville, Georgia
- vice president for Panhellenic Relations for Alpha Delta Pi
- Alpha Delta Pi’s team captain for Jaguar Miracle
- director for for New Member Experience for her sorority
Ariana Harmon, a nursing student from Hazelhurst, Georgia
- Human Resources director for The Remnant City Church Augusta
- a university cheerleader
- volunteers for special events and family-oriented services for her church
Nyhirah Higgenbottom, a nursing student from Savannah, Georgia
- president of She Blossoms
- treasurer of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- volunteers at Golden Harvest Food Bank
MarTesha Kennedy, a senior health promotion and community wellness major from Savannah, Georgia
- captain of Pom and Dance team
- president of HOSA
- volunteered with little league football in her hometown
Lyn Longley, a senior political science major from Evans, Georgia
- president of the Pre-Law Club
- vice president of Pamplin College’s student ambassadors
- volunteered for the local Special Olympics
Monique Overstreet, a senior social work major from Springfield, Georgia
- Leap Week Leader
- Inclusion chair for Zeta Tau Alpha
- volunteered with Augusta Animal Services
Christina Waller, a junior biology major from Atlanta, Georgia
- member of Phi Theta Kappa in the 2020-21 school year
- participated in food drives for the community
- volunteered at HIV drives for the community
King and queen candidates must be classified as a junior or above. Currently holding the coveted titles are Jayvon Nougaisse, a medical student, and Asha Sookraj, a nursing student.
The king and queen will be crowned at the Jaguar basketball games against Flagler College Saturday, Feb. 19. The women’s game begins at 1:30 p.m. and the men’s game begins at 3:30 p.m.
Visit the Homecoming 2022 webpage for the full list of the university’s most spirted week of the year.
Katy Hennig
Lydia Williams