Homecoming results in, run-offs today

Student voters elected winners Tuesday for key positions of this year's Homecoming Court, but they must journey back to the polls Thursday to elect their favorites in a run-off election.

Winners for 2007 include Miss Southern Miss, Ashley Cangelosi; Homecoming Queen, Jillian Harper; Freshmen Maid, Kristen Beningo; and Student Body Maid, Beth Richardson.

"This has been a dream since I've been a little girl," said Jillian Harper, a senior broadcast journalism major from Jackson.

"I was just shocked and so excited," Harper said modestly. "But I'm still Jillian. And I'm glad they chose me to represent to Southern Miss.

Harper will represent the university along with homecoming court maids in many campus events and activities throughout Homecoming week.

Thursday's run-off ballot will feature AsheLee Jefferson and Amber Peterson for Sophomore Maid, Tiffany Skrmetti and Jenell "Twin" Ward for Junior Maid, Christine "Christy" Downs and Beth Guess for Senior Maid and Kewanna Daniels and Heather Gingell for Graduate Maid.

Also on Thursday's ballot are the contestants for Mr. Southern Miss, Mark Carter and Keith D.

Lampkin. One will represent the university with Miss Southern Miss Ashley Cangelosi.

"I am very excited and overwhelmed to be representing the student body as Miss Southern Miss," said Cangelosi, a senior speech communications major from Mandeville, La.

Students can vote Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Payne Center, a Bolton Hall classroom, Liberal Arts Building and Thad Cochran Center lobby.

"They need to bring their student ID and an attitude to find the best candidate to vote for," said Omari Pittman, Student Government Association election commissioner.

With 2,335 students voting Tuesday, Pittman was pleased with voter turnout. In 2006, about 1,800 students voted.

"My goal was 2,500," he said. "But I'm just glad it increased from last year."

SGA President Vince Fabra credits new poll locations in the Payne Center and Bolton Hall for higher voter turnout.

"It was a great turnout," said SGA President Vince Fabra. "Adding extra polling places really helped the numbers."

With the Homecoming Queen election being decided by three votes, Fabra urges students to vote again Thursday.

"Three votes and that election could've gone another way," he said. "Your vote really does matter." Pittman agrees.

"It was very close," he said. "It really came down to that last individual coming in to vote. It all paid off."