Various reasons draw students to apply for Homecoming Court in their senior year, ranging from success in the arts or athletics to academic achievement.

Seniors Joanna Peters and Josh Sneering each have their own story that hopes will help have themselves crowned queen or king on Oct. 6.

Both Peters and Sneering have thought about applying in their early years of college, but it their was friends that reached out and gave that final push to put the pen to paper and apply.

“It was actually a resolution I made with one of my fellow applicants who is one of my best friends,” said Peters. “We made the resolution last year to run for homecoming court and it is something we decided to do as really close friends. Her and I had been through a lot and for our last year we thought we’d make it very special and apply together.”

“I actually was asked by one of my friends who helps with [the] Student Activities Board, she said they needed a couple extra males to go in [and apply],” said Sneering. “A lot of the guys I know have all talked about doing it up until senior year and then we kind of got cold feet, so it was a good kick in the pants to actually do it this year.”

Peters has found herself grow in many ways of life while at Waynesburg including faith which have led her to this point.

“My time at Waynesburg has been one of challenges but great experiences and turning my confidence into more than just trying to go through college but being more confident in social atmospheres,” said Peters. “Growing in my faith, I grew a lot in my four years that I have been here. I think that in itself has been enough to say that my time in Waynesburg has been wonderful.”

For Sneering, he had a specific moment in his freshman year that has helped shape and define his time as a Yellow Jacket.

“One of the biggest moments, probably came from my freshman year [when] I did the Adopt a Highway around Labor Day or fall break,” said Sneering. “That is actually where I met my friend group that I’ve had since freshman year. We all hung out and just had fun doing community service and it really helped solidify that this was where I needed to be and that this was home for me.”

When looking at the idea of making Homecoming Court, Peters thinks it would be exciting and a positive encapsulation of her time at Waynesburg.

“It would mean a lot and bring joy to me,” said Peters. “It would also show a representation of what Waynesburg University really is [which] is a community of people that are willing to support each other and that is what I feel Homecoming Court really is especially for seniors and graduating classes.”

Sneering on the other hand isn’t sure what will happen but looks forward to the opportunity to try out one more thing in his senior year of college.

“I think it would be really cool, I don’t expect to win and I’m not big into self-gloating so for me it is just a fun thing to do,” said Sneering. “One last check on the box for an attempt at something [new] in college and see how it goes. It’d be really awesome to win, but at the same time, I’m not going to have any hurt feelings if I don’t.”

Homecoming weekend is Oct.5-7, with the queen and king being crowned at the football game. The Jackets will host Carnegie Mellon at 1:30 p.m. on Oct. 5 as part of the Homecoming weekend.

“I’m excited to see how it plays out, I know a lot of my dear friends are running for court, so I’m excited to see who all gets on [court] and who is involved in the whole weekend,” said Peters.