Avalos, Bonilla Named 2024 WT Homecoming Queen, King

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, [email protected]

CANYON, Texas - Two future medical professionals were named West Texas A&M University's Homecoming Queen and King during halftime of the Buffalo football game Oct. 12.

Yadhira "Yaya" Avalos, a senior biology / pre-med major from Hereford, representing the Student Government Association and F1RSTGEN, was crowned queen, and Caden Bonilla, a senior biology / pre-dental major from Amarillo, representing Students Assisting in Good Endeavors, was named king.

"I just can't believe it," Avalos said moments after being crowned. "I seriously was 100 percent convinced I wouldn't win. I'm just glad I am able to represent first-generation college students."

"I am overjoyed with the support and encouragement I have had from friends and peers along the way," Bonilla said. "I am excited to be able to represent the University and SAGE."

SAGE's float was named the judge's top large float at the Homecoming Parade, also held Oct. 12. Zeta Tau Alpha and Omega Delta Phi's "Toy Story"-themed float was the judge's top small float. Chi Omega and Phi Delta Theta's "Space Jam" float was the People's Choice Award winner.

Homecoming royalty was announced at the end of halftime of WT's victorious game over Western New Mexico University in Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium.

The Homecoming queen finalists also included Khaki DuBose, a senior agricultural media and communication major from Abernathy, representing SAGE; and Megan Howard, a senior sports and exercise sciences major from Follett, representing Delight Ministries. King finalists were R.J. Williams, a junior business administration major from Mesquite, representing F1RSTGEN; and Cesar Rivero-Figueroa, a junior mechanical engineering major from Amarillo, representing the Interfraternal Council.

Student organizations nominate candidates to represent them on the court. Nominees were announced Sept. 27, allowing students a week to campaign, with the student body vote taking place Oct. 8 and 9. Finalists were announced Oct. 11 at Pigskin Revue, the annual Homecoming pep rally.

Queen nominees also included Bethany Bradley, a junior agriculture education from Muleshoe, representing the Residence Hall Association; Hailey Clark, a junior animal science major from Humble, representing Sigma Alpha and Gamma Theta; Cassidy Dotson, a senior agricultural education major from Krum, representing 13|30; Hannah Felker, a senior business major from Amarillo, representing the Panhellenic Council; Audrey Rangel, a senior animal science major from Lyford, representing the Hispanic Students Association; Victoria Reyes, a senior musical theatre major from Inez, representing Alpha Psi Omega; and Melinda Thomas, a junior music education major from Amarillo, representing The Sound of West Texas Buffalo Marching Band.

King nominees also included Ransom Colette, a senior mechanical engineering major from Big Spring, representing Residence Hall Association; Jordan Conde, an MBA student from Dumas, representing Student Government Association; Meschach Glvoer Ettibuah, a master's student in electrical engineering from Ghana, representing the African Student Organization; Jonah Gonzalez, a senior theatre major from Haskell, representing Alpha Psi Omega; Jack Montgomery, a junior music education major from College Station, representing The Sound of West Texas Buffalo Marching Band; and Brandon Patino, a senior international business major from Olton, representing Hispanic Student Organization.

The judges put Sigma Alpha and Alpha Gamma Rho's float in second place and Delta Zeta and Kappa Alpha Order's entry in third in the large-float category. In the small-float category, judges tapped Where the Learning Continues's float in second and the Hispanic Student Organization's in third. SAGE won second in the People's Choice contest, and Delta Zeta and Kappa Alpha Order's float won third.

Audience members in person and watching on TV or via streaming could vote for the people's choice award via QR code.

Fostering a commitment among students to be part of something larger than one's self is a key value set out in the University's long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

That plan is fueled by the historic One West comprehensive fundraising campaign, which reached its initial $125 million goal 18 months after publicly launching in September 2021. The campaign's new goal is to reach $175 million by 2025; currently, it has raised more than $160 million.

About West Texas A&M University

WT, a Regional Research University, is redefining excellence in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT, a Hispanic Serving Institution since 2016, boasts an enrollment of more than 9,000 and offers 58 undergraduate degree programs, one associate degree, and 44 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor's and master's degree, a specialist degree and two doctoral degrees. The University is also home to the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, the largest history museum in the state and the home of one of the Southwest's finest art collections. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference and offers 14 men's and women's athletics programs.

Photo: West Texas A&M University's 2024 Homecoming Queen and King are, from right, Yadhira "Yaya" Avalos and Caden Bonilla.

-WT-

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