Q&A with Homecoming Court 2010

Ever since restarting the tradition in 1978, the Student Athletic Board at IU has elected a Homecoming Court of five students, including a king and queen who best exemplify the qualities of an IU Hoosier. The IDS spoke with this year's Homecoming Court members.

Homecoming King Court Members

Justin Krachmalnick
Major Accounting and finance
Minor Political science
Campus Involvement Founding father of the Beta Iota Chapter of Alpha Epsilon, director of student fundraising programs for IU Hillel, president of Off-Campus Honors Council for the Hutton Honors College Association, accounting teacher assistant and tutor, Beta Alpha Psi, Student Accounting Society, Tennis Club and Kelley School of Business’ Civic Leadership Development

IDS How did it feel to be selected for Homecoming Court?
Krachmalnick I was initially surprised to be nominated to apply for the 2010 Homecoming Court. I was honored to be chosen for the court among many qualified and dedicated students to the IU community.

IDS What is your favorite Homecoming event?
Krachmalnick Homecoming tailgate and football game.

IDS What has been your greatest accomplishment at IU?
Krachmalnick Helping many students with their introductory accounting classes as an undergraduate teacher assistant and tutor.

Ryan Patena
Major Informatics
Campus Involvement WIUX 99.1 FM, IU Student Television Station, IU Run Club

IDS How did it feel to be selected for Homecoming Court?
Patena I was very excited, proud and grateful to know I was selected to the court.

IDS What is your favorite Homecoming event?
Patena The Nearly Naked Mile.

IDS What has been your greatest accomplishment at IU?
Patena Holding the general manager position at WIUX student radio.

Nathanial Kenninger
Major Legal studies, economics and Spanish
Campus Involvement Trockman Microfinance Initiative, Kelley School of Business Student Government, IU Student Association Funding Board

IDS  How did it feel to be selected for Homecoming Court?
Kenninger I’m excited to partake in the IU Homecoming Tradition.

IDS What is your favorite Homecoming event?
Kenninger Homecoming tailgate.

IDS What has been your greatest accomplishment at IU?
Kenninger Convincing my two younger sisters to attend IU.

Ryan Duerring
Major Psychology and criminal justice
Campus Involvement President of the Interfraternity Council, Dean of Students Advisory Board, President of Delta Upsilon in 2009

IDS How did it feel to be selected for Homecoming Court?
Duerring Very cool, to say the least. I’m honored to have the chance at being Homecoming King, and I’m looking forward to the events of the week.

IDS What is your favorite Homecoming event?
Duerring The game, hands down.

IDS What has been your greatest accomplishment at IU?
Duerring To be honest, being selected for the Homecoming Court is pretty high up there. I look at it as a culmination of everything I’ve accomplished here at IU, and I’m very proud of my experience.

Homecoming Queen Court Members

Caitlin Van Kooten
Major Economics and history
Campus Involvement Teter cycling team, Riders Council, Union Board 2008-10, undergraduate instructor for the Department of Economics

IDS What is your favorite Homecoming event?
Kooten I love seeing all the people that come in from out of town for the weekend.

IDS What has been your greatest accomplishment at IU =?
Kooten Winning the Little 500.

Amanda Stahl
Major Criminal justice
Minor Spanish
Campus Involvement President of Student Alumni Association, police officer for IU Police Department, Dean of Students Advisory Board , teacher’s assistant for Intro to Jazz Dance Technique

IDS How did it feel to be selected for Homecoming Court?
Stahl Being selected for the Homecoming Court has been an honor and a privilege. Everyone that is sitting on the Homecoming Court this year has done great things for this University, and it is a great honor to serve with them.

IDS What is your favorite Homecoming event?
Stahl I love traditions, and I love IU. My favorite event during Homecoming is the parade and pep rally. This event is a long standing tradition at IU, and it is great to see all the alumni come back and visit.

IDS What has been your greatest accomplishment at IU?
Stahl Being a police officer, I had no idea what was in store for me. I qualified as the fastest female in driving during our emergency vehicle operations and the second highest in my class of 32 in sit-ups. I struggled through the sweat and tears, and on Aug. 14, I graduated with honors from the Indiana University Police Academy.

Kacey Bourdage
Major Secondary special education and English education
Campus Involvement Over the years I have been involved with IU Student Foundation, Best Buddies International and Kelley School of Business’ Civic Leadership Development. Currently, most of my time is dedicated to being the president of my sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi.

IDS How did it feel to be selected for Homecoming Court?
Bourdage When I found out that I was chosen to be on the court, I was super excited. IU has such a large student body, so it truly is an honor to have been selected as one of the semifinalists.

IDS What is your favorite Homecoming event?
Bourdage Totally the Nearly Naked Mile. Not only is it a lot of fun, but I love that the mission of the event is philanthropy based.

IDS What has been your greatest accomplishment at IU?
Bourdage It was extremely rewarding to have had an opportunity to go on two different alternative spring break trips. I have met some awesome people, have learned a lot about myself and have had some unforgettable experiences.

Lynn Hughes
Major Sport marketing and management, sport communication
Campus Involvement Student Athletic Board President, IUSA congress member, representative for the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, activities coordinator for Alpha Gamma Delta, HPER Dean’s Advisory Board, Dean of Students Advisory Board, Jill Behrman 5K Steering Committee

IDS How did it feel to be selected for Homecoming Court?
Hughes I was very surprised. There are so many outstanding senior student leaders on campus, and to be selected for Homecoming Court among such an impressive pool of candidates is unbelievable. I’m very excited to have the opportunity to be a member of the Homecoming Court and represent the student organizations that I’m involved in.

IDS What is your favorite Homecoming event?
Hughes Yell Like Hell.

IDS What has been your greatest accomplishment at IU?
Hughes would say that my greatest accomplishment would be being a part of the Jill Behrman 5K Steering Committee. To be apart of an event like the Jill Behrman 5K, which is important to the campus and the community, is something that I’m very proud to have ties with.