Get to know the candidates for Homecoming King and Queen.
Voting for the 2014 Homecoming King and Queen is underway and Ohio University students can log on to a university webpage to vote until 5 p.m. on Friday.
This year’s court contestants, a crop of seniors, each say they aim to promote the values of Ohio University, take pride in the university, represent the student body and enhance the OU as a whole.
The King and Queen will be announced during the Bobcats’ Homecoming football game on Oct. 11.
The Post asked each candidate, “What does being nominated mean to you?”
King Candidates
Ben Clos
“ ‘Leave Athens better than when you left it,’ which I believe every freshman hears. I have taken time in my four years to try and make Athens and Ohio University a better place, and this feels like an honorable recognition from the university for trying to be true to the Bobcat family.”
Clos is a strategic communications major with an entrepreneurship certification. He is the vice president of Public Relations Student Society of America and a building manager at Baker University Center. He is also a campus tour guide.
Jimmy Herpy
“I hope to represent the notion that we are truly ‘Bobcats forever,’ and that just because our time on the bricks of Athens will end, a link to Ohio University will inevitably remain," Herpy said.
Herpy is vice president of the Singing Men of Ohio and vice president of the Student Alumni Board. He is a molecular and cellular biology major, chemistry minor and sociology minor.
Omar Kurdi
To him, winning would be a “huge step into the integration, visibility and acceptance of international students as part of the Ohio University family.”
Omar is studying political science and global studies, war & peace. He is minoring in French and working for a European studies certificate. He is the vice president of the International Student Union. He’s a member of the Muslim Students Association and Phi Beta Kappa.
Alex Molnar
“My intentions and actions are not grounded in the possibility of recognition; however, being chosen to represent Ohio (University) would be fabulous,” Molnar said.
Moldar is a industrial and systems engineering major. He is president of the University Program Council and the editor in chief of The Athena Yearbook. He is also a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Tau Beta Pi.
Jordan Ballinger did not return The Post’s request for comment.
Queen Candidates
Kathy Copas
Copas’ goal is to have a positive impact on her fellow Bobcats. For her, being nominated means that she is “working in the right direction of that goal.”
She has a double major in sociology and economics. She is the vice president of the Economics Society and a residential assistant. She is also a member of the Residents’ Action Council and National Residence Hall Honorary.
Andrea Jenigar
“I’ve put all my energy, time and heart into this university, and to me, this nomination is a sign that Ohio University believes I possess the qualities of a student who has the ability to make a positive difference on this campus,” Jenigar said.
She is double majoring in English and integrated language arts. She is a member of Delta Gamma Sorority, Students for Education Reform, Sigma Tau Delta Honors English Fraternity and Rho Lambda Honors Society.
Zainab Kandeh
“I am extremely humbled and feel honored,” she said, “it feels good to know that people believe in me to represent an aspect as special as homecoming.”
Zainab is studying journalism with specializations in Spanish and African American studies. She is the treasurer of Student Senate and the Chair and Founder of Students in Philanthropy.
Katie Lasco
“I’ve had an amazing experience in the past years at OU, and feel I’ve grown so much personally and professionally since freshman year. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to serve as a representative of the student body,” Lasco said.
She is studying Business Administration with a specialty in corporate sustainability. She coordinates the Sustainable OU Leaders program and is a member of the Tempo Tantrums.
Kaija Nealon
“The Homecoming Court is an amazing opportunity for me to give back to the school that has given me so much over the past four years and express my love for this school,” Nealon said.
Nealon is a strategic communication major. She is the vice president of Student Outreach, a Pepsi Leadership Scholar, a learning community leader and a special events intern.
To vote for King and Queen, visit www.ohio.edu/homecoming/homecoming-court.cfm
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