This year’s homecoming was historic: for the first time ever, there was a tie for Capital’s homecoming royalty.
Jack Spiller, political science and sociology major, and Andy Perna, early childhood education intervention specialist, were both named homecoming king alongside queen Kelsey Mitchell, public relations major.
“It was exciting that our Capital community was able to recognize more than one king among the incredible guys who made court,” Mitchell said. “Truly, it would have been awesome had there been a tie for queen!”
Spiller said that he’s excited for the opportunity to be one of two kings, and that he’s excited to share the experience with Perna. “Finding out on the field that there were going to be two kings was very surprising but also very cool, considering it is the first time ever,” he said.
“I was thrilled to be able to share the title with Jack,” Perna said. “I feel like it has only helped us become better friends.”
“As far as what it means to me, being elected one of the homecoming kings is a huge honor and what it means for me is that I need to continue to represent Capital in the best way I can because it is such an amazing university and community,” Spiller said. Perna was in the same boat: it made him realize that since he represents Capital now, his actions affect more than just himself.
Spiller continued to say that the process of applying and interviewing for homecoming court really made him think about his time at Capital.
“… It really solidified for me that this is my senior year and this experience I’d seen so many of my friends go through was something I’m doing now,” he said. “Last week felt like a culmination of everything I’ve done the past three years was packed into one week, and it made me more excited, and a little more nervous, for the rest of my senior year.”
“[Becoming homecoming king] means that both the faculty and the students see me as a great personification of the [university’s] values,” Perna said. “It means that people thought I deserved to be recognized for everything I’ve been a part of here at Capital.”
“I am going to treasure being so called ‘homecoming royalty’ because I got to share the experience with an incredible group of people,” Mitchell said, excited to be part of court.
“I was so grateful to be able to share the experience of being on court with some of my best friends,” she said. “It was a complete honor and privilege to help represent the wonderful class of 2019 with these wonderful people.”
