Bennett Solomon has watched the homecoming queen be crowned on the field at the homecoming game each year, but when the journalism staff nominated him for Homecoming King, he wasn’t sure what it was but didn’t hesitate to agree and participate in the fundraiser project.
“I never thought of being one of the nominees but I’m grateful to be selected and have this opportunity for my last year,” Bennett said. ”Whether I win or not, at least I get to help people to raise money.”
Starting a new tradition, Student Council took nominations from campus organizations for homecoming king, with students voting by putting money in the nominees’ labeled containers. The six nominees are Landon Beck, Bennett Solomon, Buma Fomuso, Dawson Palmer, Eddie Hill, and Noah Sexson.
The Homecoming King election is part of STUCO’s state project to address local needs in the community. Each nominee chooses a local charity to receive the donations.
“It was created as a fundraiser to whoever can raise the most money is crowned King and gets to pick what local charity or anything that is raised goes to,” STUCO sponsor Colton Mullins said.
Landon Beck chose Haven Homes downtown for his selected charity and said he thinks that the organization could use the money to help others.
“I used to go down there and help out with the community for the homeless,” he said. “They just need a lot of food and a lot of support.”
Eddie Hill chose Domestic Violence Prevention as his charity.
“It’s a really good way to raise awareness in the community, different things that you can volunteer for, and can make an impact here instead of just some random national organization,” Eddie said.
For Buma Fomuso, a local homeless organization made the most sense for his charity.
“I’m raising money for the homeless organization charity,” he said. “My church donates to them and I thought it’d be cool to donate to them and Hoco King gave me the opportunity to do that.”