Tuesday night, Aug. 31, SGA held callouts for the 2021 top five Miss Homecoming candidates on Cater Lawn.
The candidates are:
- Lady Frances Hamilton, senior in public relations
- Peyton Hill, senior in nursing
- Asia Howard, senior in apparel design
- Maddie Wellbaum, senior in hospitality management
- Carlee Yarbrough, senior in health services administration
The announcement was brief, and every name was immediately punctuated by cheers from the crowd gathered on the grass. The candidates raced up the steps of Cater Hall to embrace each other as each name was called.
Maddie Wellbaum and Peyton Hill embrace each other after hearing they were both announced as one of the top five candidates for Miss Homecoming.
"The ladies selected here are some of the most phenomenal at Auburn, and the fact that I get to stand among them is insane and incredible," Hamilton said.
Yarbrough agreed with Hamilton, saying that it felt surreal.
"I can't believe that I have the honor of standing up here with these four amazing women," Yarbrough said. "I just feel so excited and I can't wait to see what will come."
The candidates shared how humbled and grateful they were to be chosen to take one step closer to being the next Miss Homecoming.
"It's such an honor to be nominated," Hill said. "But to make it to top five has been a dream of mine since I came to Auburn and since I ran a campaign freshman year. It's unbelievable; I'm in a little bit of shock."
Howard shared the same sentiment.
"I don't feel anything right now — I'm in shock," Howard said. "I'm looking forward to all of the support from my friends and coming together and doing something I've always wanted to do."
The five ladies will begin week-long campaigns raising awareness for their specific platforms in the coming weeks.
"I'm pumped," Wellbaum said. "That's the only word I can use to describe it. Just this opportunity to be able to advocate on the student body's behalf is something I'm so excited about."
Kickoff for formal campaigns starts Sept. 21, the Tuesday before the homecoming game against Georgia State. Miss Homecoming will be announced during the game on Sept. 25.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
Destini Ambus, senior in journalism, pursuing a minor in sociology is the editor-in-chief of The Auburn Plainsman.
