Meet the Royals

In preparation for the forthcoming week of Homecoming events, Georgia State’s Spotlight Programs Board held a press conference Sept. 30, showcasing the nominees for this year’s Royal Court.

Aside from providing information about the various events of Homecoming week, the press conference allowed students to finally meet the Royal Court nominees. The twelve nominees for the Royal Court are required to have a 2.75 GPA, be in good academic standing, attend every Homecoming event, and represent a student organization.

There are four categories, with three nominees each; Prince, Princess, King and Queen. The nominees used the press conference as an opportunity to better acquaint themselves with the student body. Take a closer look at the nominees for this year’s court:

PRINCES

Gregory Lafortune

Last year, he didn’t win Homecoming Prince. This year, he is at it again. He is Nutrition major and putting in efforts to take home the title. Gregory is involved in SGA, The 1913 Society and Georgia State Marching Band.

“Last year this time, I though I would be at Morehouse,” Lafortune said. “Morehouse would have taught me how to be a greater man. Georgia State taught me how to be a greater person.”

“I’m not another face. I’m a candidate for the Royal Court. I’m telling you right now there’s only one fit for being the Homecoming Prince.”

 

Prince Asumadu

“He prospers who most serves best,” Asumadu said.

Prince lives by this and believes that serving at Georgia State can allow you to gain a lot as a student and as a person. Even if he doesn’t win, he wants to help people to get involved on campus and with the school. Asumadu gained leadership skills and friendships through this process and wants you to remember: ‘Prince for Prince.’

Fortune Onwuzuruike

Onwuzuruike is a sophomore respiratory therapy major with a concentration in health administration. Fortune wants to be a part of football’s homecoming because of its long-standing tradition

“I want this opportunity to be more than photo ops, Instagram bios or Twitter bios,” he said. “I want to use this platform to implement workshops, programs, community service and mentoring young men around the community.”

 

PRINCESSES

Jessica Mitchell

Mitchell is a junior at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies. She describes herself with her acronym ACEO: Ambitious, Charismatic, Enthusiastic and Optimistic.

Mitchell works with Georgia State’s Athletics Program and is a member of the Pantherettes. If she is to be championed Homecoming Princess, she would like to use the chance to promote literacy for recently incarcerated juveniles.

“As a student, I think it’s important to give my education back to the community, especially to those who have lost tools in society,” Mitchell said.

Joy Nwoke

Nwoke is a sophomore chemistry major who is driven to pursue a career in Pharmaceuticals. Joy wants to win Homecoming Princess because she truly loves the university.

“I was like I have to leave a legacy that is bigger than myself,” Nwoke said of the moment she found she had been nominated. “I’ve done that by being involved and staying on the President’s list. I hope to influence my peers to leave a legacy larger than themselves.”

 

Domonique Marseille

Domonique is a junior speech major originally from New Jersey. She was a 2014 Inceptor, giving up a part of her summer to help prospective students. Marseille was also a FYRE Mentor, helping out freshman students on campus. While working under the office of the President, she is a member of the 1913 society, a student ambassador program.

“I would be able to give back at a greater capacity,” Marseille said.

 

                               KINGS

Michael Samuel

Samuel is a double major in economics and risk management who hopes to one day work on Wall Street. Samuel belongs to SGA, 1913 Society and is a Resident Assistant, some of the many things he has accomplished.

“I’m here to represent my university to the utmost at all times and be the face of Georgia State,” Samuel said.

 

 

 

Drake Greer

Greer never expected to ended up where he got to at Georgia State. After high school, Drake found himself working at a Daycare Center. But at Georgia State, he found a home. Greer is a script writer and Film major and very active in his Greek community.

“My platform is based on empowerment. I want people off their butts, working on themselves and doing the best that they can do,” Greer said.

 

Jovan Paige

Paige said he is involved in redefining what “success” really means. Collegiate success is usually defined by what circumstances they come from; Paige comes from hardships, problems ranging from homelessness to witnessing a murder, he explained.

“I’m a first generation college student, I’m a 2013 Homecoming Prince, a 2013 Rising Star of the Year but most importantly I’m a black man on the track of success and ambition,” Paige said.

 

 

QUEENS

Ajahn Richard

Richard is a senior sociology major who is focused on what to do with your love for your school.

“I believe what you do with it is to service and help other people,” Richard said. “I made efforts to help students. I really focus on helping and being a change in people’s lives. It’s either from smiling at someone or giving advice along the way.”

She came to Georgia State a shy person and said through her experiences came out a confident woman. With a passion for service, she’s working towards gaining the crown.

Karishma Lakhani

Lakhani is a Senior Psychology major. Karishma makes a point to define diversity. In her experience, it’s gained her the opportunity to learn five different languages.

“Diversity has allowed me to host a university fashion show that’s [honored] cultures from every region of the world. My goal is to promote cultural awareness and competency,” Lakhani said. “I’m striving to be the first Homecoming Queen of Indian descent and hoping to inspire other students to embrace their differences. Many diversities, one university.”

 

Briana Harris

Harris is a California born senior exercise science major who is using this opportunity to promote desire and passion to obtain her goals.

“I came here an out of state student,” Harris said. “I was shy and confused. I never thought I’d obtain my 4.0 all through senior year, or be in a dance team with zero dance training, I never thought I’d be a student leader three thousand miles from my home.”

While this is out of her comfort zone, that is precisely the point. Briana believes in crossing new territories and always reaching for more.