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St. Cloud State University
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Man runs, wins as queen
By Nyssa Dahlberg
Published:
Monday, October 25, 2004
Media Credit: Tim Gruber
The homecoming princess, Absera Abraham, queen Fue Khang, king Lamont Townsend and prince Zeru Wontamo stand on stage after being announced the 2004 homecoming royalty Thursday night at Ritsche Auditorium
This year's homecoming coronation marks the first time a man has been elected as homecoming queen.
This year's homecoming Queen looked like a lady on the Ritsche Auditorium stage, but underneath the makeup and the dress, she is a he. The crown went to Fue Khang, who was nominated by student government.
Khang said that this year, student government decided to run opposite with a female nominated for king and a male nominated for queen.
"This is history in the making because this is the first time a guy was queen. I am very happy to represent student government," he said.
Some students were accepting of the turn of events.
"Well, there is no rule that said he couldn't run," said homecoming candidate Jennifer Gill, "So, do what you gotta do."
Other students were not so sure about it.
Shelly Gerwing, a third-year student, thought it was sexist that three men and only one woman were crowned royalty.
"I thought it was absolutely ridiculous that they let a man run," she said.
Themed "Grecian Gala," coronation occurred 8 p.m. Thursday at Ritsche Auditorium. University Program Board coordinators wore togas and leaf crowns to go along with the theme.
Laura Hoffman, one of the homecoming events coordinators, said they brainstormed last spring about the theme and came up with "Grecian Gala" because of the Olympics.
The SCSU cheer team was the first performance to show off their skills with a multitude of stunts and flips.
"It was our first performance, so it was a little shaky, but we pulled through and had a wonderful time," said Lindsay Kopecky, a third-year-student on the dance team.
Nathan Church, vice president of student life and development, and Bianca Rhodes, student government vice president, welcomed a packed audience to the ceremony.
"Coronation is one of my favorite events. The energy and talent of St. Cloud students is very uplifting to me," Church said.
"Everyone looks amazing," Rhodes said.
University Program Board (UPB) sponsored a student showcase last week and picked the four top student acts to perform at coronation. One of these acts was Kelsey Rae singing, "Into Your Arms" while accompanying herself on the piano.
"She had a really good flow," said second-year student Jenny Uner. "Her voice was really clear, and she sounded really confident."
Homecoming coronation would not be complete without a word from Husky football coach Randy Hedberg, who thanked the students for their support. He was joined on stage with four of his players.
"Playing at home, we have been 4 and 0 and we hope to make that 5 and 0 after Saturday," said Hedberg, "We are 7 and 1 now and ranked number 15 in the country and third in the conference. Husky Stadium has been a great environment to play in."
A duo of hip-hop dancers performed to "Hip Hop Dance Fusion." Erica Halverson, one of the hip-hop dancers, said she teaches a class in Eastman on Sundays at 7 p.m.
"I'm from a small town in South Dakota with 1,000 people," she said, "So I'm pretty much self taught."
After introducing over 50 candidates, it was finally time to reveal who the students had picked for their 2004 homecoming royalty.
Zeru Wontamo, nominee from the African Student Association, won the prince title.
"I expected someone else to win, but things happen. Yesterday was my birthday, so I guess this is my birthday present," he said.
Absera Abraham won the princess title. Abraham is also a member of the African Student Association.
"It feels good (to be crowned princess) and it's a nice surprise," she said. "This is history in the making because all people of color won and we are only 4 percent of the student population."
Lamont Townsend, from the Physical Education Club, was crowned homecoming king.
"It's a good feeling to be crowned king in front of all my friends and people I have class with," he said. "I was just hoping to be crowned prince but I'm just glad to have had the opportunity to run."
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