On Saturday, two of the 10 students on the 2017 Homecoming Court will be named king and queen. The winners will be announced before the start of University Union’s comedy show, which features T.J. Miller and The Lucas Brothers. The show, which is co-hosted by the Traditions Commission, will be held in Goldstein Auditorium and will begin at 8 p.m.

Before you cast your vote ahead of the Saturday morning deadline, here’s what you should know about the candidates and their lives before, during and after SU.

Obi Afriyie

Alexandra Moreo | Photo Editor

Major: Cultural foundations of education, history
Hometown: Monroe, New York
Why he came to SU: While on a trip to Syracuse with his high school football team, Afriyie liked how many opportunities there were on campus for student involvement
Top #GoOrange moment: Living in the International Relations Learning Community freshman year
Recess Coffee or Cafe Kubal: People’s Place
Go-to party song: “Gold Digger” by Kanye West
Dream job: Working for education reform

Bella Carter

Alexandra Moreo | Photo Editor

Major: Finance, political science
Hometown: Bakersfield, Vermont
Why she came to SU: Carter wanted to get out of New England and into a big sports school
Top #GoOrange moment: Studying abroad in Beijing her junior year and realizing how much the SU campus means to her
Recess Coffee or Cafe Kubal: Cafe Kubal for its Monkey Bread
Go-to party song: “Come on Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners
Dream job: A financial career in the National Hockey League

Darriea Clark

Alexandra Moreo | Photo Editor

Major: Magazine journalism
Hometown: Atlanta
Why she came to SU: When applying to schools, Clark knew she wanted to work in the magazine industry and was drawn to the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications for its journalism program
Top #GoOrange moment: During her first week on campus, Clark said she instantly connected with the campus and student body
Recess Coffee or Cafe Kubal: Recess Coffee
Go-to party song: “Hallucinating” by Future
Dream job: Owner of a media-fashion company

Malcolm-Ali Davis

Alexandra Moreo | Photo Editor

Major: Information and management technology
Hometown: Galloway, New Jersey
Why he came to SU: His parents and siblings attended SU
Top #GoOrange moment: Feeling nothing but Orange pride in the student section of his first football game
Recess Coffee or Cafe Kubal: Recess Coffee
Go-to party song: “Classic Man” by Jidenna
Dream job: Entertainer

Charles Keppler

Alexandra Moreo | Photo Editor

Major: Aerospace, aeronautical and astronautical engineering, physics, and applied mathematics
Hometown: Burlington, Vermont
Why he came to SU: Keppler liked SU’s liberal arts atmosphere, which he said promotes discussion with students of various mindsets
Top #GoOrange moment: During a visit to Syracuse in 2014, Keppler heard the phrase, “go where you are celebrated, not tolerated” and felt it was a sign
Recess Coffee or Cafe Kubal: Recess Coffee
Go-to party song: “Roxanne” by The Police
Dream job: Astronaut

Michael Lehr

Alexandra Moreo | Photo Editor

Major: Broadcast and digital journalism
Hometown: San Jose, California
Why he came to Syracuse: Lehr was drawn to SU as a big sports school that feels small enough for friends and community
Top #GoOrange moment: Storming the field at the 2016 football game against then-ranked No.17 Virginia Tech in the Carrier Dome
Recess Coffee or Cafe Kubal: Cafe Kubal
Go-to party song: Any songs from the ‘90s
Dream job: MLB radio broadcaster

Brandyn Munford

Alexandra Moreo | Photo Editor

Major: Civil engineering
Hometown: Woodbridge, Virginia
Why’d he come to Syracuse: Munford wanted to get away to New York, and SU — with all its school spirit — seemed like the perfect fit
Top #GoOrange moment: Own the Dome
Recess Coffee or Cafe Kubal: Cafe Kubal
Go-to party song: “Throat” by Gage
Dream job: Structural engineer

Jacqueline Page

Alexandra Moreo | Photo Editor

Major: International relations and television, radio & film
Hometown: Potomac, Maryland
Why she came to Syracuse: It seemed right, and her room was already painted orange and blue
Top #GoOrange moment: Receiving her acceptance letter to SU
Recess Coffee or Cafe Kubal: Cafe Kubal
Go-to party song: “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
Dream job: Film set worker for movies involving military personnel

Lania Roberts

Alexandra Moreo | Photo Editor

Major: Painting
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Why she came to Syracuse: Roberts wanted to go to a college that would facilitate her growth and allow her to meet different types of people
Top #GoOrange moment: When she organized a motivational speech at SU and received a great deal of support
Recess Coffee or Cafe Kubal: Cafe Kubal
Go-to party song: “Sorry” by Beyoncé
Dream job: To be a multihyphenated artist, a visual artist-producer-director-actress-New York Times Bestselling Author-inspirational speaker

Jen Sweet

Alexandra Moreo | Photo Editor

Major: Communication and rhetorical studies, political science
Hometown: Jackson, New Jersey
Why she came to Syracuse: Having come from a small high school that lacked school spirit, Sweet fell in love with SU’s traditions, Orange family and pride
Top #GoOrange moment: Camping out in the Carrier Dome for the Duke University basketball game her freshman year
Recess Coffee or Cafe Kubal: Recess Coffee
Go-to party song: “It Wasn’t Me” by Shaggy
Dream job: Political speechwriter

Published on October 4, 2017 at 10:49 pm

Contact Lydia: lnilesst@syr.edu