Homecoming nominees grazed the football field with beauty, smiles and nerves as the king and queen were announced during halftime.
The Homecoming King and Queen were announced Oct. 27 during the football game halftime show. Cody Huffman, electronic media senior and Nahara Franklin, psychology senior, were crowned with sashes and flowers. The homecoming king and queen are voted for by the student body.
SACA Pride and Traditions Coordinator, Brianna Mendez, said the homecoming king and queen represent what it means to be a Bobcat. Each party showcased their involvement and leadership skills on campus.
“All the royalty are kindhearted and a great representation of Texas State,” Mendez said. “I think (Huffman and Franklin)­­­ are both the nicest of people and seeing their applications, I was really impressed.”
Huffman was nominated by Lambda Chi Alpha, where he is Vice President of outreach philanthropy. He serves as a study abroad ambassador and a recruitment counselor for the IFC counsel. He is currently a member of the Hispanic Business Student Association, SACA and the National Hispanic Institute. Huffman volunteers with Hays County Food Bank, Sights and Sounds and San Marcos ISD.
Huffman said his family taught him to meet people without judgement and how to let new people into his life. Over the years, he has made many friends through his organizations and being friendly to people on a daily basis.
As a freshman at Texas State, Huffman wanted to find who he was and four years later, he is ready to graduate with confidence. Last year, he was a Gaillardian on the homecoming court.
Huffman was raised in Weslaco, Texas. He said it is crazy that someone from the Valley was able to win something so big in a school with over 40,000 students.
“It’s a really nice, accoladed honor to have won and have my peers vote for me,” Huffman said. “It helps set me up with the idea that I can pursue anything, so it’s really nice to know all the things I’ve done over my four years here have been rewarded with such a high honor.”
One of Huffman’s goals is to be a co-host on Good Morning America. He sees himself on TV some day. His dream in life is to focus on the positivity in the world and come together with people from all over.
Next semester Huffman has an internship with KVUE Austin. He is set to graduate in spring 2019 and after that, he said his possibilities are endless.
Franklin, homecoming queen, was nominated by a friend who knew Franklin wanted to run for the spot.
Franklin was born and raised in Dallas, and said her mother is one of her biggest inspirations because she instilled a great work ethic in Franklin.
Franklin is the Vice President of Black Women United and the Executive Vice President of Student Foundation. She serves on the Inclusive Excellence Committee and the Equality U food and hospitality committee.
She volunteers with Meals on Wheels and the African American Calaboose Museum.
She said the homecoming queen should exemplify excellence in every aspect of hard work, perseverance and leadership.
“(Winning homecoming queen) makes me feel validated,” Franklin said. “It means a lot people see the work I’m doing and cared enough to vote.”
After graduation in spring 2019, Franklin plans on attending law school.
Franklin is interested in fashion law and representing a brand like Louis Vuitton. She wants to be a defense attorney sometime in her career so she can give back to low-income communities.
Texas State homecoming is an exciting time of year. Aside from king and queen, there were 25 duke and duchesses voted by the residential halls and 11 Gaillardians voted by the student body. Dukes, duchesses and Gaillardians were announced prior to the Saturday game.
Huffman and Franklin said they are honored to have been a part of a lasting tradition at Texas State. To keep up with the homecoming king and queen, checkout their Instagram: @codyyjess @curly_girl97.