WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Oct. 14, 2017— West Liberty University students selected Desi VanCuren of Laurelville, Ohio and Jeremiah Ortiz of Rochester, N.Y. as Homecoming Queen and King 2017.
The crowning took place in an official ceremony that took place at halftime during the 1 p.m., Oct. 14 Homecoming football game against the Glenville State University at West Family Stadium.
It was a warm fall day that brought out record numbers of alumni, students and fans.
“We had nine deserving king and queen couples this year for our homecoming election and all of them are active and loyal hilltoppers. We congratulate them all for their excellence in representing our student body,” said Student Government Association President Adam Croasmun of Paden City, W.Va., who took part in the crowning ceremony.
VanCuren represented Chi Omega sorority and is majoring in Dental Hygiene. A junior, she is the daughter of Doug and Theresa VanCuren.
A senior running back for the Hilltoppers, Ortiz was in the locker room during halftime ceremonies but received his crown when the team returned to the field for second half. He is a Digital Media Design major and son of Leon Ortiz and Linda Hertes.
Voting took place on Oct. 11 as students marked their ballots in the College Union. Students ended their homecoming festivities with a 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. dance at WLU’s Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex (ASRC).
An unexpected moment of joy followed the crowning ceremony as alumnus Jay Billiter of Paden City, W.Va., who was last year’s king, took the opportunity to propose on the 50-yard line. Alumna Olivia Blazer of Glen Dale, W.Va. said yes, without hesitation. The couple met at WLU and Billiter enters basic training for the United States Army tomorrow. Blazer is an English teacher at Warwood Middle School.
Also honored at the Homecoming game were the 2017 Wall of Honor alumni: John Hennen ’70, Katie Kacmarik ’08 and Al Roszczyk ’80 who received awards during the President’s Recognition Dinner, held last evening at the Highlands Event Center.
Also recognized on the field were significant athletic donors, alumni Jack Adams, McMurray, Pa.; Charlie Annett, Weston, Fla.; Nick Sparachane, Wheeling, W.Va.; H.R. “Bucky”Kopf, Avon Lake, Ohio and Gary E. West, Wheeling and Naples, Fla.
The game (Glenville 17 – WLU 13) drew a crowd of thousands of student families and friends, alumni and football fans from far and wide and included tailgating, children and family activities and a celebration of the G-Top Restaurant, located across Rt. 88 from the campus main gate.