*Article by Tori Mason
From being book nerds to downright nutty, our homecoming court is witty, quirky, and exciting in every way possible. I gave each of the men and women on our court a list of questions and let them answer with their wildest imagination. Meet the dazzling ladies and gents of our Homecoming Court 2013.
Martha Masiarz
Pit Sit Lover
Q: Would you rather go on a pit sit or go to Shorty’s as a date?
A: I would go on a pit sit. If he swipes me in, I know he’s a keeper. Pit sits allow for a good, casual time with unlimited food.
Q: If you could be an animal what would it be and why?
A: I would be a lion. First off, we both share golden manes. I also think I am practical and independent, which are traits that a lion would have. I take a lot of pride in everything I do and I’m fierce (you should hear me roar!).
John Andrew Walsh
Bang Bang
Q: What are you most looking forward to this year?
A: I’m really looking forward to basketball season. I’m so pumped to put on that tie-dye shirt and get back to the Joel. Lastly, I’m looking forward to, as I like to put it, “going out with a bang.” I don’t entirely know what I mean by that, but it does involve thoroughly enjoying my last year as an undergraduate student and doing well academically.
Q: Would you rather go on a pit sit or go to Shorty’s as a date?
A: I live off campus, so I’m not opposed to cooking dinner. But I must admit, my repertoire of dishes consists of tacos, spaghetti, breakfast foods, grilled cheese sandwiches, and oven-cooked pizzas.
Celia Quillan
She’ll Make a Man Out of You
Q: Which Disney Princess do you relate the most to?
A: I’d say probably Mulan or Pocahontas. They’re independent, powerful women, and they dare for their dreams and goals to stretch further than what their cultures expect of them. Also their movies have the BEST songs (“I’ll Make a Man Out of You” and “Just Around the Riverbend,” holla!)
Chris Gonzalez La Corte
To Thine Own Self Be True
Q: What Does it mean to be on the Homecoming Court to you?
A: Being on Homecoming Court means representing a group of people who are normally under represented on campus, such as minorities, the LGBTQ community, and a member of the arts. Being on homecoming court is an honor because I’ve met so many wonderful people at Wake in the past four years who have truly made this a home away from home and to be voted in by them is super humbling.
Laura Talton
Closet Nerd, Proud Deacon
Q: What is your favorite homecoming activity?
A: My favorite homecoming activity would definitely be the game! It’s so much fun to get decked out in black and gold, see alumni and fans flood the parking lots for tailgates, cheer on the Deacons, sing-a-long with the band….just be in the spirit of Wake Forest. I love everything about it.
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: My favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird. I read it every summer, and I actually have a copy signed by Harper Lee on my bookshelf at home. I’m such a nerd!
Brooks Bradway
Toddlers and Tailgates?
Q: What is your favorite homecoming activity?
A: My favorite thing about Homecoming is watching alumni bring their families back to Winston-Salem. Every year, there are always little kids wearing Riley Skinner or Tanner Price jerseys playing football with their fathers on the quad. When alumni come back, the look of joy and satisfaction is extremely apparent as they reminisce about their glory days at Wake Forest. Growing up, I was that kid playing football on the quad, and I look forward to coming back to Wake for future homecomings with a family of my own.
Aubrey Peterson
The Way to Her Heart is Through Her…
Q: What is your favorite Homecoming activity?
A: I’m naturally drawn to the “Wake Up to Homecoming” breakfast on the Mag Quad because I love food, but I’m also really looking forward to the “Crown Your Class” event this year. It has a lot of neat giveaways and, yes, more food.
Cameron Flayer
Birds of a Feather, Pro Humanitate Together
Q: What does it mean to you to be on the Homecoming Court?
A: Honestly, I’m not sure how to answer this question. I have a lot of adoration for the Wake Forest community and our commitment to the “Pro-Humanitate” spirit, and I feel honored to be on the Homecoming court with 19 other campus leaders that embody this spirit perfectly.
Q: If you could be an animal what would it be and why?
A: I think I would choose to be any bird that lives in the New Zealand mountain ranges. Have you seen the Lord of the Rings? Exactly.
Taylor Anne Adams
Keep Calm Old Sport and Deac On
Q: What’s your favorite book?
A: As cliche as it sounds, Great Gatsby is my favorite book. I’ve read it 13 times and love it more and more every time.
Q: What do you like the most about fall?
A: I love football season, the leaves changing, the unspoken energy that buzzes around campus. It’s just the best time of the year.
Alex Adcock
Everyone Goes Bananas
Q: What’s your favorite book?
A: Everyone Poops. It’s informative and connects with a broad readership.
Q: If you could be an animal what would it be?
A: I would be a monkey. I like climbing stuff and bananas are my favorite fruit.
Karleigh Ash
Ready to SEAL the Deal
Q: If you could be an animal, what would it be?
A: If I could be an animal, I would be a seal. I live by the ocean and I have never seen such an adorable, fat, fun-loving animal as the harbor seal. They wobble around on the sand and sun themselves but they are such skillful swimmers.
John Allen Riggins
Banshees Leave All Girls Weak in the Knees
Q: What does it mean to you to be on Homecoming Court?
A: Being on homecoming court means a lot to me because I came to Wake knowing absolutely no one, being the only person here from my state at the time, and it means a lot to me to be recognized as someone who has gotten to know some pretty awesome people. Although I will say that there are probably a hundred people who deserve it more than I do.
Q: What is the best date you’ve ever taken a girl on?
A: It’s still waiting to be had…ladies ;)
Georgia Tanner
Likes to Be Where the People Are
Q: What Disney princes do you relate to the most?
A: I don’t know that I really related to them as much as just died to be one. When I was little I dreamed I was Ariel, I would literally dress up like her every day for two straight years and hold shows where I would perform her songs for my parents and anyone who was in the house.
(Who wouldn’t want to marry Eric and hang out with Flounder?)
Halston Kirkpatrick
He’s What Dreams Are Made Of
Q: What is the best date you’ve ever taken a girl on?
A: Last fall I took a study break with a girl and she told me that she had never been to New York City, which I thought was a tragedy. So, that night I booked plane tickets for us to take a day trip to Manhattan, and to top it off it was during December so the city was decorated for Christmas. We woke up at 4 a.m. drove to the airport, and landed in New York around 8 a.m. We saw everything you could possibly see in a day (Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Times Square, Empire State Building, Ground Zero, and Rockefeller Square), had an amazing dinner, and then flew back out around 9:30 p.m. Easily the best date ever, but I did learn that day that no matter how great the date or place is, if you are with the right person it really doesn’t matter. Seeing the city was a great time, but what I remember most about that day is being with her.
Lydia Sandy
The Belle of the Ball
Q: Which Disney princess do you relate the most to?
A: The Disney princess that I relate the most to is Belle. I love a wonderful adventure and I definitely see her as one of the more independent and kind princesses who speaks her mind and stands up for what she believes in.
Q: What is your favorite Homecoming activity?
A: My favorite homecoming activity is definitely the President’s Ball. I cannot wait to dance the night away with some wonderful friends and alumni and enjoy some delicious food. Because the event only happens every other year, it is always a special way to reconnect with friends from the past and present.
Richard Chou
A Hilarious Gent Who’s Hungry for Waffles
Q: What is your most memorable Wake experience?
A: Going to Waffle House on Wednesday, while wearing wolf shirts to celebrate Wolf Shirt Wednesday.
Q: If you could swim in any liquid what would you choose and why?
A: Wine because wine not?
Jazmune Thatch
The Fiercest Feline
Q: If you could be an animal what would it be and why?
A: My favorite animal has always been the tiger and since Katy Perry came out with the song, “Roar,” I can’t help but love them even more! They’re such beautiful and fearless creatures. Like the tiger, I want to be seen as a strong and courageous individual.
William Readhead
Mr. Suit and Tie
Q: What are you most looking forward to this year?
A: President’s Ball is this year so I am very excited to see everyone at the Joel and looking nice. I love how so many students and alumnus will be there hanging out.
Jacqueline Sutherland
Madame President
Q: What’re you looking forward to the most this year?
A: I’m most looking forward to savoring each and every uniquely Wake Forest moment of my last year of college. From sipping on a cup of coffee while sitting on a bench overlooking Wait Chapel, to eating sweet bread by candlelight at the Moravian Lovefeast, to delivering the Commencement Address at Graduation, I plan to cherish everything from the day-to-day moments to the beloved traditions that make Wake unlike any other place.
Travis McKie
Everything He Does, He Does it Big
Q: What is your favorite Homecoming activity?
A: Black & Gold Madness
Q: What is your most memorable Wake experience?
A: Rolling The Quad after we beat NC State last year.