High school friends earn titles as USF Homecoming Royalty 2024
By Carisma Briscoe
TAMPA – Every year USF hosts the traditional events that are a part of their Homecoming week dating back from 1964 to encourage students to get involved and show their school spirit. Some of these events include fundraising for clubs, nightly activities such as making crafts or going to a comedy show and of course, the annual Homecoming dance where the elected court members are crowned.
“The homecoming court is selected through a competitive process in which the candidates are evaluated based on their academic achievements and involvement on campus” said Homecoming event coordinator Kaylee Ayres. “By joining the homecoming court, these students uphold a cherished tradition with honor and pride as they become ambassadors for the student body, helping to inspire and uplift the USF community.”
The candidates started their homecoming court process by submitting their applications on Bullsconnect and then were interviewed, where campus partners selected the finalists. These final 10 candidates created their campaigns that were shared with their peers to start the voting process.
Katelyn Sewell grew up in Ocoee, Florida, and has always loved music. She started playing in a band when she was 11 years old, which led her to become captain of USF’s “Herd of Thunder” marching band. Sewell said that growing up she was shy and reserved, leading her to believe she would never do something like run for homecoming court. Being on campus at USF encouraged her to go out of her comfort zone and try new things.
Through her involvement with the band, Sewell got involved in homecoming traditions every year, especially the “Running of the Bulls Parade”.
“I would love to leave my impact on campus by promoting student involvement,” Sewell said. “If I hadn’t found my community in the band as quickly as I did, I don’t believe I would have been as successful at USF. I am passionate about helping people find clubs and organizations on campus because I strongly believe it makes your college experience 100 times better.”
Miriam Mami had a unique experience growing up in Orlando, Florida, in an American Algerian family. She has become a member of various organizations on campus such as, a research assistant in a psychology and law lab, Psi Chi Honor Society, and the group of Globull Ambassadors. Mami has also performed at many USF events, singing for groups such as the African Student Association’s “Africa night”. Mami said she always thought she would end up running for homecoming court, she just needed to figure out when the right time would be.
As an 18-year-old freshman, Mami had no idea of the endless opportunities and experiences that would be available to her as a 21-year-old senior. “I hope to also amplify the voices of minority students and create an even more inclusive community,” Mami said. “I hope to inspire people to know that no matter who you are or where you come from you have the ability to leave your mark here at USF and the Tampa Bay community.”
Sewell and Mami each worked to campaign for votes from other students as they posted on social media, made flyers, and more. Both winners were crowned as USF’s selected royalty on the night of Nov. 6, at the Homecoming ball. Instead of the traditional King and Queen, two high school friends got awarded together on stage among many fellow peers supporting them.
The pair said they were both excited to share the titles together as they felt it was a special and full-circle moment for them. Sewell and Mami were also excited to get the chance to inspire others to become involved on campus within the many opportunities available.
Their crowning provides them with new prominent roles on campus where they are involved by speaking at events, being featured in the parade on their own float, and will be recognized at halftime on the field at USF’s upcoming football game. These new roles will allow both women to become even more involved on campus within their reign over the next year, as they continue to work towards inspiring their community.