By Leah Fielding
Nobody typically sees the personal side of Homecoming Court candidates – they’re hidden behind lists of activities, accomplishments and formalities. Yesterday in the Curry Student Center Ballroom from 8 to 9 p.m., students were able to discover amusing tidbits of candidates’ lives when they’re not leading student government, running a sorority or organizing a meeting, compliments of an event dubbed Court TV.
Who knew that Ashley Adams, president of Student Government Association (SGA), drinks hot sauce for fun, or that Anna Maker, member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), dances a mean Irish jig? Candidate Allison Interrante admitted she can recite all the lines of the movie “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”
Court TV provided voters with a lighthearted opportunity to get to know their candidates for King and Queen a little better.
NU ‘ Improv’d ran the event, and it certainly was ‘improv.’ The show started with laughs as host Steve DeMonico repeatedly announced to the rowdy audience, “Put your bottoms in the seats!”
Hosts Chad Cooper and DeMonico had students write down random sentences and phrases prior to the event. They used phrases such as “you dirty pirate hooker” in the middle of scenes suggested by the audience. The result was comedic, as the crowd roared and screamed with laughter.
The candidates were thrown into the ring defenseless and unaware of what was to come. Rosena Cornet of Haitian Student Unity had to bust her best dance moves, while Kelly Mulrenan of Delta Phi Epsilon, performed a great rendition of Grease’s hand jive. Allison Hatfield of RSA had to attempt to mimic Michael Jackson’s “moonwalk.”
Keith Ford of SAAC said he can bench press 495 pounds, and he showed off his biceps to prove it. The student body now knows that Billy Haddad of SGA can do a perfect curtsy. Liam Hales of NU ‘ Improv’d could pass for a runway model as he strutted his stuff on stage with poise and grace.
At one point a voice from the audience shouted for a dance-off among the candidates. The lights were cut and the candidates supplied with glow sticks. Cooper and DeMonico told them to do their best interpretive dance. The crowd’s applause indicated they loved it.
The enthusiastic audience consisted mostly of the groups the candidates were representing: Society of Women Engineers, SAAC, Delta Phi Epsilon, Delta Zeta, Student Government Association, Haitian Student Unity, cheerleading, Resident Student Association, NU ‘ Improv’d and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
The groups were loudly and enthusiastically supportive of their candidates. The cheerleading team performed stunts in the back of the room to show support for their nominee, Melissa Czerkowicz.
Cooper reflected on how the event went after the show, saying each candidate had a chance to shine.
“The audience responded well, we saw aspects of candidates you wouldn’t normally see,” he said. “It seems a little harder to vote now.”
Adams noted, “dedication to making sure every undergrad has the best experience possible” is what she values and what may set her apart from her fellow candidates.
Ever the stage ham, Hales made his best case for candidacy.
“I have fun while being involved. I’m the only one with improv experience and I was homecoming king in high school. I’m debonair,” he said, cracking a smile.
Rachel Truman took solace that even if she doesn’t win, she’ll still have 65 girls of Delta Zeta to back her up.
“Not many people have that much support, and I love them all,” she said.
All students can vote by logging on to myNEU and clicking on the link above the Picture of the Week until Saturday. The Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned at the 50-yard line of Parsons Field at halftime of the football game Saturday afternoon.
