Crown Sold Separately: My Last Homecoming at KSU

Homecoming at Kennesaw State University isn’t just another week on the calendar—it’s a time to celebrate pride, tradition, and community. It’s when students, alumni, faculty, and organizations come together to remind ourselves of what makes our university family so special. The vibe on campus is different during Homecoming week. It shows the true importance of being a KSU Owl.

If you would have asked me about running for Homecoming Court my freshman year, I would have said no. But over the years, my development and love for Homecoming has grown significantly. In my four years at this university, I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by great leaders and individuals who weren’t afraid to use their platforms to inspire others. After seeing those I look up to compete and win Homecoming Parliament, I decided that I wanted to follow in their footsteps. With the guidance of mentors and the support of my peers, I hoped to use my platform to inspire someone younger than me to step out of their comfort zone and embrace leadership.

This year’s Homecoming was especially meaningful—it was my final one as a senior, and I was determined to make the most of it. For the first time, I stepped out of my comfort zone and ran for the 2025 Homecoming Royalty. My campaign was toy-store themed, under the title “Crown Sold Separately.” It was fun, creative, and a true reflection of my personality. Running an on-campus campaign, however, is no small task—it takes planning, creativity, and dedication to connect with peers and earn their support.

Some of my favorite campaign highlights included passing out 100 roses across campus, serving trays of Chick-fil-A nuggets, and organizing donations for the March of Dimes. It was a balance of being visible and social while also keeping up with academics, work, and personal responsibilities. Campaigning required late nights, endless conversations, and a lot of heart—but it also gave me the chance to network with students I might have never met otherwise.

Overall, I am deeply grateful for this opportunity—even though I did not win. The experience itself was the victory. I grew as a leader, strengthened my confidence, and made memories that I’ll carry beyond graduation. More importantly, I hope that someone saw my journey and realized that they, too, can take risks, step into leadership, and create change on campus.

Winning a crown would have been an honor, but the lessons, connections, and impact I gained are priceless. To me, that’s what being an Owl is all about: building community, leaving a legacy, and uplifting those who come after us.