University of Southern Indiana’s Homecoming king and queen for 2012 are Zachary Watson, Evansville, Indiana, and Kaitie Webster, Newburgh, Indiana. The duo was crowned February 11 during halftime of the men’s basketball game against Lewis University.

Watson is a senior majoring in social science, secondary education, and history, with a minor in mathematics. He is involved in AmeriCorps and, at USI, serves as a resident assistant, works in Academic Skills as a tutor, and serves as a mentor in Student Support Services. Watson shares his anti-drug and alcohol and anti-bullying platform through motivational speaking. He is the son of Cynthia and Wayne Watson.

Webster is a junior majoring in English education with a minor in Spanish. She is involved with numerous campus organizations, including serving as an AMIGO Orientation Leader, and participating in the College Mentors for Kids, Student Alumni Association, and Student Housing Association. In the community, Webster was a student volunteer coordinator for the Southwest Warrick Girl Scout Day Camp. She is the daughter of Kathy and Jason Webster.

Student organizations were allowed to nominate one candidate each for king and queen. Their nominees must have completed 48 credit hours, have a cumulative grade point average of 2.6 or higher, and demonstrated outstanding leadership skills through campus and community involvement. 

Students previously serving on the Homecoming Court, or acting as the Activity Programming Board president, or the homecoming chair, were ineligible for this year’s court. Court members completed private interviews with a judging panel and received votes through the campus wide elections that yielded 1,561 votes.

Other members of this year’s Court were Melissa Chavez, Phillip Behrens, Molly Hahn, Ryan Eichmiller, Lauren Perigo, David Martinez, Emily Severeid, Jonah Otto, Lauren West, and Jordan Whitledge.