Homecoming takes place from Oct. 14 to 20 and will feature activities such as a night market, “Carnabull,” and powderpuff game. Courtesy of Harborside Activities Board
By Kelli Carmack
This year, two more USF St. Petersburg students will join campus royalty when they become the next homecoming king and queen, but who will they be?
The nominees are:
Jadzia Duarte: A junior environmental science and policy major, Duarte says becoming queen would be an opportunity to represent USF St. Petersburg, something she treasures.
“I want to be able to give back to this campus because it gave so much to me,” she said.
Duarte is the director of sustainable initiatives with Student Government, the Compass programming team leader and an orientation leader. She is the chair for the Clean Energy Resource and Conservation Commission, a voting member in the Student Green Energy Fund and an active member in the Student Environmental Awareness Society.
Duarte prides herself on being a voice of sustainability on campus. During campaigning, Duarte handed out daisy seeds in envelopes with her slogan, “Grow With Me” written on each one. She said she hopes that students see her love for the environment.
“I hope to make great strides in the sustainable community and live up to the core values that our institution holds of care for the natural environment,” Duarte said.
Winning the crown and title of Homecoming Queen would be special for Duarte.
“It means that my peers recognize my efforts and all that I put into the university,” she said.
Zaryna Jasmin: Confident and caring — this is how Jasmin, a junior biomedical sciences major, describes herself.
This summer, Jasmin was a head orientation leader and is a peer coach. Jasmin said the main reason she’s involved on campus is because she loves helping people. She prides herself on constantly stepping out of her comfort zone.
“I want to represent this school in a good light …Voting for me shows that you think I’m fit for (being queen) and I really appreciate that,” Jasmin said.
Jasmin credits Shani Tracey, last year’s homecoming queen, as one of her motivating factors for running this year.
“She’s a really good mentor to me,” Jasmin said.
When asked what she hopes to accomplish before she leaves USF St. Petersburg, Jasmin said she wants to be known for being “a real individual … a real human being.”
Hannah Murphy: A junior criminology major, Murphy thought running for queen would be a great opportunity for her to get more involved on campus.
Smaller clubs are a big deal to Murphy. She is involved in several, such as Her Campus, the Pre-Law Society and the Criminology Club. Murphy says being a part of “lesser-known clubs” helps her stand apart.
“You don’t have to be in these big groups and organizations to be involved,” she said.
Murphy’s main goal is to promote student involvement. She believes involvement builds confidence, she said. She is willing to go with students to club meetings when they have no one to go with.
“I know it’s so scary to go to a club by yourself,” she said. “Once they go and they meet someone… they’ll love going back.”
Murphy hopes to inspire commuters like herself to get connected.
“I want to help students feel more involved on campus without actually living on campus … I don’t want them to feel detached,” she said.
Murphy says winning queen is much more than getting a crown. She was a little skeptical about running, but after realizing that the school’s homecoming court is more than a popularity contest, she was all in.
“It’s not about being the skinniest girl, the prettiest or the one who wears the highest heels … It’s not about being Miss America, it’s about making a difference,” Murphy said.
Despite the outcome, Murphy said she feels like she already won just by being on the court. She said her actions alone got her to that spot and she couldn’t be prouder of herself for that.
Daniel Ciccia: He may not actually be your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man as his campaign slogan implies, but junior geography major Ciccia is as close as it gets.
Ciccia’s goal is to help everyone see the light in themselves.
“Sometimes people just need that one little push to find out why they enjoy being here,” he said.
Through running for king, Ciccia hopes to remind students that “there’s a hero in all of us.”
“I’ve been in those shoes before where I didn’t think I could make a difference,” said Ciccia.
After coming to college and realizing all the opportunities it offered, Ciccia learned he could really be a hero by getting involved, which he encourages every student to do.
Ciccia is a peer coach, a USF St. Petersburg ambassador, director of special events for Harborside Activities Board and co-president of the campus volleyball team.
Henry Burrows: USF St. Petersburg keeps Burrows busy.
He’s an ambassador, head orientation leader, treasurer of the gospel choir, member of the Herd Step Team, member of the Carribean Culture Exchange club, member of the honors program, tour guide and a student assistant at the college of education.
An education major, Burrows said his heavy involvement comes from his love of the university.
“Being king is a good opportunity for me to show that love,” he said.
His goal as king is to continue to show his pride for the university by reminding students and staff what makes the St. Petersburg campus special.
Win or lose, Burrows says the crowning night is “going to be a good time.”
“Get out and vote,” he said. “For king and for queen, and also in the general election because every voice is super important.”
Noah Miller: Vote with Pride. This is what junior psychology major Miller encourages students to do.
“Everyone should be proud of who they are no matter what background they come from, who they love, their ethnicity, etc,” Miller said.
As a gay man, this is a message dear to Miller’s heart. Representing the LGBTQ community is something Miller holds to the highest esteem.
Miller said that winning king would show others that no matter who they are, they can succeed.
“Seeing that this campus could elect a gay man for homecoming king… it would be a great thing to show the world and the students,” he said.
Miller began his college career at a university in South Carolina, where he felt like he didn’t matter.
When Miller came here, he didn’t expect to be where he is now. He is the president of HAB, a tour guide, a member of the honors program and the head orientation leader. He’s thankful for the encouragement and support he has received since announcing his run for king.
Miller said he believes the crown embodies a school spirit and love for USF St. Petersburg.
Crowning will take place at 8 p.m. on Oct. 16 in the University Student Center ballrooms.
To vote, visit: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdRUxM2z3ctvQ98EYAm8jPHVAvGCbQ12HhhxQ5Fogtet3ofeQ/viewform.
