UWA announces 2015 Homecoming Court
LIVINGSTON, Ala.—The University of West Alabama student body has elected seven of its most outstanding young women to represent them on the 2015 Homecoming court.
The homecoming queen, who is chosen from the five elected upperclassmen, is a closely-guarded secret that will be announced during the annual Serendipity talent show Wednesday night at Hughes Gymnasium. The other four nominees for homecoming queen will serve as the queen’s court, along with the freshman and sophomore maids.
Ashley Hardy is the freshman maid. Hardy is a member of Student Support Services and the UWA Scarlet Band. The sociology major is a graduate of Hale County High School. A Greensboro, Ala., native, she is the daughter of Jimmie and Emma Hardy.
Niya Crawford represents the sophomore class. Crawford serves as finance assistant for Alpha Sigma Tau sorority. The Pell City, Ala., native is majoring elementary education and graduated from Pell City High School. She is the daughter of La Tonya and Willard Crawford.
Paige Ip, a junior from Meridian, Miss., is a member of the Homecoming court. Ip is pursuing a degree in Integrated Marketing and Communications. A Northeast Lauderdale High School graduate, Ip is a member of Beta Beta Beta, Blue Key, and Omicron Delta Kappa honor societies and serves as vice president for UWA’s student government association. Ip served ad Miss UWA and Miss Paragon during 2014. She is the daughter of Kim and James Pearsell and Garrett Ip.
Sydney Matthews, a senior from Meridian, Miss., is a member of the Homecoming court. Matthews is a biology pre-medicine major. A graduate of Northeast Lauderdale High School, Matthews is a member of Beta Beta Beta, Blue Key, Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Epsilon Delta, Order of Omega, Phi Kappa Phi, and Phi Eta Sigma academic honor societies. Matthews is president of Phi Mu Fraternity and Greek Council representative. She is the daughter of Dr. James and Machelle Matthews.
Jessica Smyth, a junior from Clayton, Ind., is a member of the Homecoming court. Smyth is a history major. A graduate of Cascade High School, Smyth is a member of the UWA Honors Program, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the UWA Women’s Golf team. She serves as a resident assistant for UWA Housing in Gilbert Hall. Smyth was selected to the 2014 Gulf South Conference All Tournament Team, 2013-2104 All American Scholar by Women’s Golf Coaching Association, 2014-2015 Gulf South Conference Second Team, Gulf South Conference All Academic First Team, and more. She is the daughter of David and Dawn Smyth.
Adriana Stanton, a junior from Columbus, Miss., is a member of the Homecoming court. Stanton is an exercise science major and a graduate of Columbus High School. She is a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta and Kappa Delta Pi honor societies and serves as vice president of the Exercise Science Club. Stanton preciously served as freshman senator on UWA’s Student Government Association; she now holds the position as SGA junior senator. She serves as a Project Bloom Mentor, UWA Orientation Leader, and UWA Student Ambassador. She is the daughter of Amanda Barry Stanton and Kent Stanton.
Tierra Williams, a junior from Fulton, Ala., is a member of the Homecoming court. Williams is majoring in nursing. A graduate of Clarke County High School, Williams serves as vice president of the Student Nurses Association, a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, and a J.L. Bedsole Scholar. She is the daughter of Sheddret Robinson and Gilbert Gildersleeve.
The court will ride through downtown Livingston in the Homecoming parade Saturday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m. Crowning of the queen and presentation of her court will take place during halftime of the UWA-Shorter football game at Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is at 2 p.m.