Hastings College juniors Chris Wurst, Highlands Ranch, Colo., and Kay Broekemeier, Central City, Neb., were named Homecoming king and queen at a special coronation dinner on campus Thursday, Sept. 27. Royalty were selected by a vote of the student body.

 Juniors Brad Gamble, Eagle, Colo., and Shelby Leyland, Imperial, Neb., were named prince and princess.

 The couples presided over the 57th Melody Round-up Parade in downtown Hastings, at the football game and other weekend activities.

King Chris Wurst, son of Mark and Cathy Wurst, Highlands Ranch, Colo., is a trumpet performance and music education major. He is a member of the Hastings College choir, marching band, jazz band, concert band, jazz combo, symphonic band, and the brass quintet. He participates in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia men’s music fraternity. Wurst played baseball for one year and was selected the Intercollegiate Honor Band as a sophomore. Wurst plays trumpet and sings in the choir at St. Mark’s Episcopal Pro-Cathedral Church.

Queen Kay Broekemeier, daughter of Don and Tina Broekemeier, Central City, Neb., is a psychology and health promotion and management major. On the Dean’s List, she is a guard for the basketball team and last year, was named to the All-Conference team. She also was part of the 2006 NAIA national championship basketball team. A member of the track team, Broekemeier participates in the 400 and 800-meter runs and is member of the 4 by 800 and 4 by 400 relays.

Prince Brad Gamble, son of Jon and Nancy Gamble, Eagle, Colo., is a physical education major. He is a member of the Public Relations Council and is on the Executive Council for Student Association. He is a member of Beta Chi social fraternity, sings in the Hastings College Men’s Choir, and participates in Ignite religious organization. A member of the track team, Gamble assists with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program.

Princess Shelby Leyland, daughter of Jeff and Jo Leyland, Imperial, Neb., is a music education major. On the Dean’s List, she is a member of the Hastings College Choir and Sigma Alpha Iota women’s music fraternity. She participates in M.E.N.C. (Music Educators National Conference), NO-EL Guitar Ensemble, and Music Theatre Ensemble. She was a resident assistant for Taylor Hall last year, and assists with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program. 

Finalists for king were: Leo Boman, Accra, Ghana; Vincent DiPaolo, Aurora, Colo.; and Colt Kraus, Taylor, Neb.

Leo Boman, son of Mellissa Boman, Accra, Ghana, is a biology major. He is a defensive lineman on the football team and is a Student Senator. Boman is a member of Pre-Veterinary Club, Beta Beta Beta biological honor society, and Multicultural Student Union. He is a resident assistant, officer and a Hall Council member for Bronc Hall. Boman also is a mentor for TeamMates.

Vincent DiPaolo, son of Mark and Teresa DiPaolo, Aurora, Colo., is a business administration major. A Student Senator, he is a member of Tau Beta Alpha social fraternity. He is a shortstop and second baseman for the baseball team and participates in Ignite and FOCUS religious organizations. Formerly a Bronc Hall resident assistant, DiPaolo participated in a Hurricane Katrina relief trip.

Colt Kraus, son of Tracy and Suzanne Kraus, Taylor, Neb., is an English education and ESL major. On the Dean’s List, he serves on the Public Relations Council, is a Student Alumni Ambassador, is president of Psi Theta Epsilon social fraternity and president of Inter-Greek Council. He is a member of Sigma Tau Delta English honor society and is co-president of intramurals. Last year, he was a resident assistant and a member of Hall Council and Inter-Dorm Council. Kraus volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and participated in the Diabetes Walk.

Finalists for queen were: Jamie Cercle, Hastings, Neb.; Ellen Jorgenson, Kansas City, Kan.; and Alia Mohsen, Doniphan, Neb.

Jamie Cecrle, daughter of Deb Cecrle, Hastings, Neb., is a marketing major. On the Dean’s List, she is a member of the dance team, is secretary of the Multicultural Student Union, and is a member of Alpha Phi social sorority.

Ellen Jorgenson, daughter of Mark and Mary Jorgenson, Kansas City, Kan., is a history and ESL education major. On the Dean’s List, she is on the executive board of the Public Relations Council, participates with the Center for Service Leadership and is a member of Phi Alpha Theta history honor society. She participates in several religious organizations including: Common Grounds, National Network of Presbyterian College Women, Women’s Bible Study, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Ignite. Jorgenson played basketball for two years and was involved in theatre.  Jorgenson is vice president of Student Education Association, is president of Recycling Club, is treasurer of Multicultural Student Union, participates in PHIVE-O (Peer HIV Education Organization), Hastings College Democrats, Team Against Bias and International Club. She is active in Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and volunteers at The Zone after school program.

 Alia Mohsen, granddaughter of Richard and Nancy Carl, Doniphan, Neb., is a psychology and communications major. On the Dean’s List, she is a member of the Public Relations Council. She was named Outstanding Sophomore of Alpha Chi cademic honor society, and is president of Pi Kappa Delta forensic honor society. As a sophomore, Mohsen was president of Altman Hall, co-president of Hall Council and president of Inter-Dorm Council. She is co-president of Alpha Delta Alpha social sorority and is the public relations representative for the forensics team. Mohsen qualified for the American Forensics Association National Events Tournament for the past two years and was a quarterfinalist in persuasion as a freshman. She also was involved in theatre. Mohsen assists with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program, helped with Trick or Treat for NAP (Nebraska Aids Project) and participated in the Nebraska AIDS Walk. 

Candidates nominated in preliminary voting were: Jeff Hartman, Columbus, Neb.; Tyler Keyser, Cambridge, Neb.; Jake McAllister, Fairbury, Neb.; Joel Niemann, Lincoln, Neb.; Corinthian York, Clarksville, Tenn.; Megan Arrington, Centennial, Colo.; Jen Hicks, Omaha, Neb.; Amy Kroll, Kenesaw, Neb.; Wendy Nicklin, Papillion, Neb.; and Hillary Pingel, Beloit, Kan.

Jeff Hartman, son of Doug and Sharon Hartman, Columbus, Neb., is a biology major. On the Dean’s List, is a member of the Public Relations Council and serves on the Artist Lecture Series (ALS) Student Symposium committee. A member of Beta Chi social fraternity, Hartman served as a Student Senator and on the Altman Hall Council his sophomore year. He is a member of the track team and competes in the pole vault.

Tyler Keyser, son of Dan and Jackie Keyser, Cambridge, Neb., is a marketing and philosophy major. On the Dean’s List, he serves on the Public Relations Council, is a member of Beta Chi social fraternity, and a member of Ignite religious organization. He is a member of the Artist Lecture Series (ALS) Student Symposium committee, is a Student Senator and a resident assistant. A member of Alpha Chi academic honor society, Keyser is a member of the track team. He competes in the 400 and 600 meter runs, the 400-meter hurdles, and is a member of the 4x400 meter relay team. Keyser also assists with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program.

Jake McAllister, son of Tim and Deb McAllister, Fairbury, Neb., is an elementary education major. He is a member of the Public Relations Council, is a Student Alumni Ambassador, is a member of Psi Theta Epsilon social fraternity, and serves on the Inter-Greek Council. He participates in Hastings College Men’s Choir, works for the Bronco yearbook staff, writes for the Collegian newspaper and is involved with KFKX radio. His sophomore year, he was in Translations, a college theatre production.
McAllister is a member of the track team, ran cross country for one year, and participates in wrestling.

Joel Niemann, son of Roger and Patty Niemann, Lincoln, Neb., is a religion major with an emphasis in social justice and mission. On the Dean’s List, he serves on the executive council concert committee for Student Association, is a member of Beta Chi social fraternity, and participates in Hastings College Men’s Choir. He plays in Chapel Band and participates in Presbyterian Campus Fellowship. Niemann served on the Artist Lecture Series (ALS) Student Symposium committee, was president of Altman Hall last year, and was named Outstanding Sophomore of Alpha Chi academic honor society. He also participated in Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week.

Corinthian York, son of Alejandro and Tammeree Kelly, Clarksville, Tenn., is an art major. He is a defensive lineman on the football team and is a member of Tau Beta Alpha social fraternity. York serves on the Inter-Greek Council.

Megan Arrington, daughter of Michael Arrington and Debra Russell, Centennial, Colo., is a journalism major. On the Dean’s List, she was named Alpha Chi academic honor society Outstanding First-Year Student. Arrington is a member of the Public Relations Council and Alpha Phi Sigma social sorority. She is on the Bronco yearbook staff, works with hcworldnews.com, and is editor-in-chief of the Collegian newspaper.

Jen Hicks, daughter of Tom and Nancy Hicks, Omaha, Neb., is an elementary and special education major. On the Dean’s List, she is president of Alpha Omega social sorority and is a member of the Inter-Greek Council. She was a resident assistant for Taylor Hall and on Hall Council. Hicks is a member of Ignite and Campus Crusade religious organizations and participates in Bible Study Club. A member of Student Education Association, for two years, Hicks was a member of the Hastings College Singers and Hastings College Choir. She is a Head Start tutor at Lincoln Elementary School, and participated in a Hurricane Katrina relief trip.

Amy Kroll, daughter of Darwin and Diane Kroll, Kenesaw, Neb., is a psychology and human services administration major. On the Dean’s List, she is vice president of Public Relations Council and a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is an outside hitter for the volleyball team and is a mentor for TeamMates.

Wendy Nicklin, daughter of Donald and Rhonda Nicklin, Papillion, Neb., is an elementary education major. On the Dean’s List, she is a member of the Public Relations Council, is a Student Alumni Ambassador and served on the New Student Days Committee. A member of Alpha Chi academic honor society, Nicklin is historian of Alpha Omega social sorority. As a sophomore, she served on the Taylor Hall Dorm Council and was a Member-At-Large. She is co-editor in chief of the Bronco yearbook and is a page editor for the Collegian newspaper. Nicklin is co-president of Student Education Association and participates in the Society of Collegiate Journalists. She is a Head Start tutor at Lincoln Elementary School.

Hillary Pingel, daughter of Gary and Audrey Pingel, Beloit, Kan., is a broadcast journalism and news media major. A member of the Public Relations Council, she is also a Student Senator and a member of Chi Omega Psi social sorority. She is assistant webmaster for hcworldnews.com, is a producer for HCTV 6, and a reporter for the Collegian newspaper. Pingel is also a member of the cross country and track teams.

Hastings College, founded in 1882, is a private, four-year liberal arts institution affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA). A total of 64 majors in 32 areas of study and 12 pre-professional programs are offered to 1,140 students. The college was cited among top liberal arts colleges, national bachelor’s category, in U.S. News and World Report, America’s Best Colleges 2008, was named a “best Midwestern college” by The Princeton Review 2008 Best Colleges: Region by Region, and was also named a top liberal arts college in Nebraska by Washington Monthly magazine.

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