Teri is a senior by credits here at USFSP. She is very involved on campus and she works at the USC as an admin assistant, an RA, and an ambassador. Most recently Teri was selected to be Homecoming Duchess at the homecoming dance last Monday!
Here’s what she had to say about becoming the Homecoming Duchess of USFSP!
Q. What made you run for Duchess this year?
A. I’m not really sure what the defining factor was for me in my decision to run for Duchess – there are a lot of reasons I liked the idea! I really look up to the past ladies who have been elected Duchess and they’re such great role models, and I love any chance I can get to represent our campus so there’s that too, and also I knew it was going to be a fun way to meet a lot of new people!
Q. Where you expecting to win or was it a huge surprise?
A. For me it was a huge surprise – I thought there was no way I was going to win and I was nervous throughout the whole experience. All the ladies that I ran with are just incredible people that do great things for our campus each in their own ways. Throughout the week of voting and campaigning I was bracing myself for either outcome, and honestly the support I had from my friends, classmates, residents, and even the professional staff I work with was so incredible I knew it would be fine either way!
Q. How did you feel when they announced your name?
A. When my name was announced, I couldn’t even believe it. I can’t even describe the feeling. I wanted to jump and run around and I wanted to cry and I wanted to hug every single person I had talked to that week! The best way to describe it was just the overwhelming sensation of being grateful for the opportunity.
Q. How was the experience of going to USF Tampa’s Homecoming dance?
A. Going to Tampa’s homecoming dance was incredible. Nick and I were able to meet their entire court and had a chance to sit with them before their King and Queen were announced – they are all very awesome people as well. We got to shake hands with Dr. Judy Genshaft, and she introduced us all as we walked to the stage during the Ball – it’s always great to see President Genshaft! The Tampa ball is incredible – so many people and a lot to do, but I wish I had brought friends to enjoy it with!
Q. Did you like being on the float for the Parade?
A. I LOVED being on the float for the parade!! It was such a fun, happy experience and I loved seeing all my friends along the parade path. What I loved most though was seeing so many kids along the parade path with their parents, most of the alumni or current students, and them looking up to us and giving us the “Go Bulls” signs right back. I hope these kinds of activities inspire them to think about college as not just school, but a fun experience too!
Q. Could you describe the feeling you had walking onto the field at the Homecoming game?
A. I don’t think there is any real way to describe what I felt when Nick and I walked onto the field besides awe. I could not stop smiling for anything, I took so many selfies on the sideline as we got ready to walk on, and I spent a lot of time just staring up into the stands and across the field once we got out there. Standing there in front of all of all the fans was just incredible. I’m really still digesting it all as far as just how lucky I am and how grateful I am to have been given this experience.
Q. You went to so many events that week, was it exhausting?
A. There’s no way I could even try to lie about this – it was SO exhausting, but it was SO worth it. Aside from all of our on campus events like Kick-off, the Ball, and the Cardboard Boat Race, I went to Tampa’s events, and I was also invited to the USFSP Club Baseball Home Opener game. My schedule was packed and it was tough at times (my friends can tell you that, too), but the experiences were just too incredible to let being exhausted get to me too much.
Q. Is there anything you would like to tell the people who voted for you?
A. To those that voted for me (and actually to anyone that voted at all), thank you so much for your support in our campus traditions, thank you so much for being an active part of our campus community! Thank you for caring enough to vote!
Teri did a fantastic job representing our campus this past week as she always does. As a proud voter for my good friend Teri, I say congratulations and great job!
– Alana Long
*Pictures provided by Teri