Henry Burrows and Jadzia Duarte were crowned homecoming king and queen last Tuesday at the homecoming ball. Courtesy of Emily Bowers | USFSP Connect
By Kelli Carmack
Cascading streamers and digital playing cards projected onto the wall of the University Student Center ballroom created an air of Monte Carlo elegance at the Harborside Activities Board’s annual homecoming ball.
As USF St. Petersburg students walked into the USC Oct. 16, they were met with an arch full of black, green and gold balloons near Rocky the Bull–a great photo opportunity.
Inside, an oxygen bar filled with brightly colored and flavored oxygen was provided, along with a photobooth for students to experience.
Asmita Palsule, a junior accounting major, said she was impressed with the event.
“Rocky was here, so it was cool to hang with him and get some cute pictures,” Palsule said.
The South Florida All Stars performed with glitz, glam and sass as the crowd cheered.
Domonique Gillen, a senior biology major, was one of the dancers who performed.
“There was so much energy from the crowd … it was great,” Gillen said.
After the performance Vanessa Rivera, HAB’s director of traditions, crowned Henry Burrows and Jadzia Duarte as homecoming king and queen.
Burrows and Duarte had their first dance and invited the crowd to join them.
“I’m so honored and proud,” Burrows said.
As homecoming king, he said that he will continue to make the student body proud by advocating for them.
Duarte said her red dress was “fit for a queen.” She said she was nervous when Rivera was announcing king and queen, but seeing her friends in the front cheering her on helped calm her nerves.
“Henry is such an amazing student leader,” Duarte said. “He’s fit for king and I’m so excited to be his queen.”
