Pictured above: Longtime friends Libby Casale and Darien Desir-Thompson win Homecoming Royalty at the Nov. 2 “Thriller Nights” Homecoming Ball.
Courtesy of @usfhab on Instagram
By Molly Ryan
In 2018, senior history and English literature double major Libby Casale and senior criminal justice major Darien Desir-Thompson attended Pinellas Park High School’s prom as seniors on the dance’s court — now, they are representing USF St. Petersburg as Homecoming Royalty.
When Casale and Desir-Thompson were crowned at the Nov. 2 “Thriller Nights” Homecoming hosted by the Harborside Activities Board (HAB), their high school memories of attending prom and being on court together made the experience all-the-more “unreal.”
“There’s a sense of nostalgia mixed with familiarity,” Desir-Thompson said. “I don’t think [Casale] and I would have imagined that we would be here today as Homecoming Royalty. Being crowned alongside her prompted me to reflect from high school to where I am now.”
Casale also agreed that it was “coincidental” that she and Desir-Thompson were in the same prom group and now share the title of Homecoming Royalty.
“It was great to have that experience again,” Casale said. “We went to prom together as friends, so when I got to share the stage and that experience with [Desir-Thompson] again, it was a really awesome feeling. HAB did such a great job, as they always do, with this year’s homecoming.”
For Desir-Thompson, his college experience with homecoming has given him a newfound appreciation for the tradition.
“In the past, I thought homecoming was just a show of popularity alongside a series of football games. It didn’t really pique my interest,” Desir-Thompson said. “However, seeing homecoming in college has changed the way I view it. Homecoming is a tradition that brings together past and present students in addition to community members. HAB did an amazing job traversing through homecoming despite emerging amidst a pandemic.”
Both Casale and Desir-Thompson remarked that their fellow nominees on homecoming court were also their friends — which made the experience more unique for both of them.
“While I’ve known [Desir-Thompson] the longest out of everyone on the court, everyone up on stage was my friend,” Casale said. “So, I was excited for literally everyone to win, which made the experience even more memorable.”
While Casale said she had a “strong feeling” that Desir-Thompson was going to win due to his spirited efforts in campaigning, the two of them were both shocked to be announced as Royalty.
“Winning royalty seemed surreal. I heard my name and knew I was going to be crowned moments later but it didn’t really click then,” Desir-Thompson said. “I wished all of the court could have won. The main thing on my mind was realizing that I won, means that others lost. I couldn’t revel in the moment as much because of it. Regardless, I am proud of everyone on the court!”
Both Casale and Desir-Thompson feel proud to represent a university that fosters a diverse environment in their final year.
“One of my favorite things about USF St. Petersburg is its inclusivity,” Casale said. “In using ‘Homecoming Royalty,’ the gender-neutral terminology really helps solidify our slogan, ‘You Belong Here,’ and reinforce those ideas of a close-knit and diverse community. I love it here, so I’m really happy to be representing it.”
“I’ve had no regrets in anything I’ve done in my four years here I’ve made the best of it,” Casale said. “I’ve always felt supported. The faculty is amazing and there are great organizations here, like HAB.”
Desir-Thompson also expressed his plan to fulfill his role in representing USF St. Petersburg as Homecoming Royalty.
“Being crowned USFSP Royalty has galvanized my motivation in regard to USF as well as other aspects of my life,” Desir-Thompson said. “I will do my best to fill the crown I wear, physically and figuratively.”
