For Zac Yonko, senior English major, and Marla Holland, senior psychology major, being crowned Homecoming king and queen was a perfect capstone to their experiences at Waynesburg University.

Yonko and Holland were honored at the Homecoming football game against Grove City College Saturday, Sept. 30. They were chosen from a court of 10 potential candidates.

“I was super excited just to represent Waynesburg,” said Holland. “Because I love Waynesburg, and I love participating in all the events that we have here, and I love being really spirited.”

Even as a member of Homecoming Court, Holland spent the morning before the game doing what she has always done: helping out with various student activities. Fully adorned in her black and orange gown, knowing she wouldn’t have time to change, Holland assisted the Psychology Club at JacketFest, attended an alumni festival for track & field, helped load the equipment truck for pep band and made it down to the field in time to warm up and play in the band.

“Everyone was like, ‘Are you going to play the tuba in that dress?’ and I was like, ‘Of course, I am,’” said Holland.

Holland said her activities are especially important to her, and the opportunity to get involved on campus was one of the driving forces that brought her here.

“It’s just part of the tradition,” she said. “Part of what really got me excited to be at Waynesburg was being in pep band and taking part in the events and the friends that I’ve made.”

For Yonko, being on Homecoming Court was just another example of the love and support of his friends at Waynesburg University. He said that, over the past four years, as he explored and tried several majors to find his path, he relied heavily on the relationships he made.

“My favorite memory is definitely just meeting the different students and professors. Growing in my faith, too. I thought I was going to be a sports broadcasting major when I first came in, and now I’m going to be a pastor. So, the Lord leads you in different directions, but in the end, He uses everything for His glory. And he really intertwines people’s stories in your life,” Yonko said. “I wouldn’t be where I’m at if it weren’t for the people here on campus that actually care about me as a person.”

Yonko sees the title as a way to represent all that Waynesburg stands for as a community.

“…Being Homecoming King means that you’re representing the school and representing the student body,” he said. “I was really honored to receive that, but in the end, I’m just happy to be part of a student body that cares about other people. And I always want to be genuine, I don’t want to be fake, and I’m glad I can represent that here at Waynesburg.”

Like Holland, Yonko was excited to be “immersed in Waynesburg pride” Saturday.

“It was just a blessing to be on court, a blessing to be elected Homecoming King and to represent Waynesburg in that way and I just appreciate all the love and support I’ve gotten from this whole weekend,” he said. “Just really blessed to be here.”