The Roaring 20s slate of homecoming festivities at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith culminated in the crowning of students Luis “Wicho” Negrete Becerra of Saltillo, Mexico and Taely Dedmon of Mansfield as 2020 Homecoming King and Queen.
Negrete Becerra is the son of Javier Negrete Martinez and Graciela Becerra Vela. A senior mathematics major, he represents Kappa Alpha Order. Dedmon is the daughter of Keith and Tracy Dedmon and represents the student alumni association as an organizational leadership major.
“Being able to represent UAFS as homecoming queen is the highest honor in my eyes,” said Dedmon. “I have so much respect for this university. UAFS will always be a part of me, and I’m so excited I get to be a part of its legacy. Once a Lion, always a lion!”
“It’s an honor to represent UAFS and all the student body, without them I wouldn’t be the person I am today!” said Negrete Becerra
The 2019 Homecoming King and Queen, Naythan Dyke and Mary Beth Andrews announced the winners, who were crowned by UAFS Chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley and Dr. Ricardo Maestas.
“Homecoming is such special time on a college campus, and this week I have been able to see outstanding displays of Lion Pride from students, faculty, staff, and alumni all over campus,” said Riley. “I am so appreciative of the hard work our Student Life Office and our Alumni Association put into Homecoming each year, and thankful for the opportunity to meet so many members of our Lion family who have shared with me valuable stories of the university we all call home.”
Crown bearers were Warren and Bailey May of Fort Smith, the son and daughter of Jeremy and Sarah May, members of the UAFS Class of
Negrete Becerra and Dedmon were crowned from a homecoming court of eight nominated students after students voted, and candidates conducted interviews with a panel of judges.
The three additional students elected to Homecoming King court were: Landon King, representing Campus Activities Board, a junior, vocal music major from Harrison; Dyllan Newell, representing Sigma Nu and Delta Gamma, a sophomore, media communications major from Fort Smith; and Matthew Wells, representing Kappa Sigma and Gamma Phi Beta, a sophomore, business administration major from Ozark.
The Three additional students elected to Homecoming Queen court were Madison Coker representing Delta Gamma and Sigma Nu, a senior, organizational leadership major from West Fork; Taylor Bayley, representing Gamma phi beta and Kappa sigma, a junior, English with teacher licensure major from Winslow; and Kristin Centeno representing NUMediA, a sophomore, media communication major from Baltimore, Maryland.
