University of Louisiana Monroe - Chacahoula Yearbook (Monroe, LA)

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Smiling for the camera, Melanie Byrd waits on the sidelines to be presented. tors waved @ Though Homecoming night was cold and rainy, members of the court and 2 Homecoming their fathers were all smiles. Mike Meeks Billy Heckfor HOMECOMING The Court In a repeat of history, the se- lection of the Homecoming Court turned out to be one of the most controversial issues facing NLU in 1985. When the final votes were counted in the free election vote, Ame Harveston, nominat- ed by Kappa Sigma was elect- ed queen with 665 votes. Kathy Thibodeaux, nominat- ed by Alpha Sigma Chi was elected Maid of Honor with 645 votes. Other nominees elected to the court were Mary Sue Scott, nominated by Kappa Chi local sorority; Melanie Byrd, nomin- ated by the SGA; Karen Davis, nominated by Kappa Delta; and Veronica Karam, nominated by the Student Chapter of the As- sociated General Contrators. Even though these were the top vote-getters, the court was changed when the SGA added a seventh court position and placed Karen Canady, nominat- ed by Alpha Epsilon Delta, on the court. The move was made by the SGA following the elec- tion of the all white court in an effort to satisfy minority stu- dents. According to SGA President David Carter, Canady had re- ceived the next highest number of votes in the election. Even though six white girls were elected to the court, in a six white, six black run off elec- tion, the creation of the sev- enth position brought cries of protest from the Black Caucus and some black students. Canady, a black who was ad- ded after an all white court was elected said, ‘‘I don’t feel it was fair to put me on the court when | didn’t make the court. If all whites made the court, then that’s the way it should be. They shouldn't just stick me on to satisfy the minorities.”’ After much debate and a threatened black boycott of

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Homecoming, Canady resigned from the court the day before Homecoming. The other six girls, however, did continue with the Home- coming festivities. On Satur- day, Nov. 2, they rode a float made for them by NLU 31 in the Homecoming parade. Karen Davis, who rode the float, said, “It was a lot of fun representing the school and rid- ing through campus, but | also enjoyed representing the stu- dents in the community since the parade went through the Gitvan At the game held in Malone stadium, they were all present- ed to the crowd while being es- corted by their fathers. There, Harveston was crowned queen and Thibodeaux was an- nounced as the maid of honor. When asked how she felt about being elected queen, Har- veston said, “I was excited to be queen because, to me, it’s Members of the 1985 Homecoming Court include (front row): Kathy Thibo- deaux, Maid of Honor; Ame Harves- ton, Queen; (second row): Mary Sue Scott, Veronica Karam; (back row): Karen Davis, Karen Canady, Melanie Byrd. Just after being crowned queen, Ame Harveston receives a congratulatory kiss from SGA president, David Carter. Eddie Cox big honor and I’m very happy that Kappa Sigma nominated me.” The event was topped off by hundreds of colorful helium- filled balloons being released into the night when the court was presented. During the presentation of the court, some black students did leave the game. Mary Sue Scott, a member of the court, said ‘“‘Homecom- ing is supposed to be a celebra- Mike Meeks tion and all of the controversy makes being on the court less of an honor. | feel that the elec- tion should provide for an equal number of assured spots for whites and blacks and for the remaining spots to be left for free vote.” — Amber Baldwin Student Life 16A

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Kappa Delta's original and eye-catch ing float won the coveted President's Award. - It was a proud moment for Ame Har The Homecoming dance s € Adding color n H obistale site S a ing dance wa Today was a major att veston and her father just after she was by many people like Thomas Pa crowned and hundreds of helium bal- Stephanie Cook after th parade, wned a d: reliu: al pha ka y loons were released. from the game. ig a break from cheerleading halftime show, Sonya Odorr flage raincoats over their Homecoming outfits due to the bad weather. ! i 2 Richard Lupo Meeks Mike Mike Meeks Jennifer Angelloz is thrilled to learn, Due to the rain and cold weather, stu ; ul P Sharing’an emotional 1 that after workinghfor several day . i dents not only covered thebleachers Be . : : Sue Scott and her father welt for, the = before sitting down, but they also re re etme aa sorted to bringing extra blankets to f ment, Mary With true Indian spirit, Karen Harris, Lynna Hall, Annette Stinson and David McCalfey cheer on the parade. of the court stay warm. . e - Running and picking up candy thrown Coming home to NLU to play old songs and visit old friends, these band alums kept a surrounding crowd in good spir its from participants of the parade was lots of fun for young children Mike Meeks Mike Meeks Mike Meeks Richard Lupo Mike Meeks Mike Meeks 16D Homecoming 16C domecoming Homecomi ng 16E Homecoming 16F