STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1
Kaylee Hawkins of Glasgow is one of the 31 candidates for Western Kentucky University 2026 Homecoming Queen.
Hawkins, daughter of Trevor and Tonya Davis, is a Sociology, Criminology and Psychology major with a concentration in Forensic Psychology earning a certificate in Citizenship and Social Justice and is sponsored by Potter College of Arts and Letters Dean’s Council of Students.
This year, 31 students are vying for the title of Homecoming Queen as part of WKU’s Homecoming celebration themed, “Big Red’s World Tour.” Homecoming festivities will culminate when the Homecoming queen is crowned at halftime of the WKU vs. Jacksonville State football game on Saturday, Nov. 14, with kickoff at 2:30 p.m. at Houchens Industries–L.T. Smith Stadium, according to a press release from the university.
Candidates will participate in a variety of activities during Homecoming Week, including a fall social, interview, volunteer experience and participation in the Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally on Friday (Nov. 13). WKU students will cast their votes for Homecoming queen through online balloting on Monday (Nov. 9).
The other 30 candidates are listed below.
Isabel Bilyeu of Franklin, Tennessee, daughter of Mark and Jaye Bilyeu, is a Marketing major with a minor in Sales and is sponsored by Delta Sigma Pi.
Hadley Boyd of Bowling Green, Kentucky, daughter of Jason and Heather Boyd, is a Communications major with a minor in Marketing and is sponsored by Chi Omega and Phi Delta Theta.
Katelyn Boykin of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, daughter of David and Sharon Boykin, is a Criminology and Psychology major with a concentration in Forensic Psychology and is sponsored by College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Ambassadors.
Heidi Braunseis of Troy, Illinois, daughter of David Braunseis and Brandi and Ryan Petchulat, is a Chemistry major with a minor in Marketing and is sponsored by Sigma Kappa and Sigma Nu.
Emarie Cates of Gallatin, Tennessee, daughter of Jimmy and Nicole Cates, is a Civil Engineering major and is sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Emma Childress of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, daughter of Chad and Allison Childress, is an English and Environmental, Earth, and Sustainability Sciences major and is sponsored by HonorsToppers.
Lauren Clark of Louisville, Kentucky, daughter of Robert and Michele Clark, is a Biochemistry major and is sponsored by Delta Zeta, FarmHouse and Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Erin Dempsey of Hurricane, West Virginia, daughter of Tim and Becky Dempsey, is a Marketing major and is sponsored by Alpha Gamma Delta and Sigma Chi.
Sarah Gamble of Scottsville, Kentucky, daughter of Edward and Sharon Glasgow, is an English Literature and Chinese major with a minor in Professional and Technical Writing and is sponsored by Rho Lambda.
Alexa Garcia of Greensburg, Kentucky, daughter of Ernesto and Melia Garcia, is a Spanish major with a Legal Professionals concentration and is sponsored by Kappa Delta, Lambda Chi Alpha and Kappa Alpha Order.
Meg Golden of New Castle, Kentucky, daughter of Shawn and Sarah Golden, is a Physical Education major with a concentration in Teacher Education/Health Education and a minor in Health Education and is sponsored by Baptist Campus Ministry.
Claire Haas of Paducah, Kentucky, daughter of Andy and Tiffany Haas, is a Strategic Marketing major with a minor in Finance and is sponsored by Gordon Ford College of Business Ambassadors.
Gracie Hurt of Richmond, Kentucky, daughter of John and Margaret Hurt, is a Public Relations and Sports Management major earning a certificate in Strategic Communication and is sponsored by WKU Spirit Masters.
Jordan Kyser of Louisville, Kentucky, daughter of Jay and Jennifer Kyser, is a Marketing major with a minor in Entrepreneurship and is sponsored by Circle of Sisterhood.
Ava LaRocco of Louisville, Kentucky, daughter of Adrian and Jennifer LaRocco, is an Accounting major and is sponsored by Alpha Xi Delta.
Gloria Matta of Bowling Green, Kentucky, daughter of Bassem and Dina Matta, is a Civil Engineering major and is sponsored by WKU Office of Admissions.
Hannah McIntosh of Louisville, Kentucky, daughter of Steven and Sandra McIntosh, is a Healthcare Administration major with a minor in Sales and is sponsored by Midnight on the Hill.
Briley New of Somerset, Kentucky, daughter of Dustin and Stephanie New, is an Animal Science major with a Pre-Veterinarian concentration and is sponsored by the Department of Agriculture and Food Science.
Jada Peterson of McFarland, Wisconsin, daughter of Marty and Lisa Peterson, is a Psychology and Social Work major with a minor in Clinical and Community Behavioral Health and is sponsored by Omega Phi Alpha.
Maggie Phelps of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, daughter of Kevin and Jennifer Phelps, is a Public Relations major with a minor in Journalism and is sponsored by WKU Student Alumni Ambassadors.
Unity Pickett of Louisville, Kentucky, daughter of Gregory Pickett and Cherine Carter, is an Interior Design major and is sponsored by the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
Abby Preski of New Lenox, Illinois, daughter of Jamie and Kim Preski, is an Elementary Education major and is sponsored by the Panhellenic and InterFraternity Councils.
Chloe Ralston of Stanford, Kentucky, daughter of Steve and Haley Ralston, is a Nursing and Healthcare Administration major and is sponsored by Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Gamma Rho, Pi Kappa Alpha and Sigma Alpha.
Sophie Stirling of Troy, Illinois, daughter of Ched and Heather Stirling, is a Political Science and Legal Studies major and is sponsored by Phi Mu and Sigma Phi Epsilon.
Katelyn Swanson of Lexington, Kentucky, daughter of Brad and Kristi Swanson, is a Construction Management major and is sponsored by Order of Omega.
Amelia Tucker of Calhoun, Kentucky, daughter of Aaron and Jennifer Tucker, is an Agriculture major with a concentration in Agriculture Education and is sponsored by the Student Government Association.
Leah Upchurch of Bowling Green, Kentucky, daughter of Jason and Laura Upchurch, is a Civil Engineering major and is sponsored by Society of Women Engineers.
Mariah Wolff of Edgewood, Kentucky, daughter of Kevin and Tiffany Wolff, is a Biology major with a minor in Chemistry and is sponsored by Omicron Delta Kappa.
Samantha Zaboronak of Louisville, Kentucky, daughter of Scott and Rebecca Zaboronak, is a Biology major with a minor in Chemistry and is sponsored by Alpha Omicron Pi and Phi Gamma Delta.
Julia Zigrossi of Spencerport, New York, daughter of Todd and Caroline Zigrossi, is a Marketing and Sales major and is sponsored by the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
The Homecoming celebration is a cherished WKU tradition that brings together students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members to celebrate Hilltopper spirit and pride.
Key Facts:
– Glasgow’s Kaylee Hawkins is among 31 candidates for WKU’s 2026 homecoming queen.
– Hawkins is sponsored by the Potter College of Arts and Letters Dean’s Council of Students.
– WKU students will vote online Nov. 9.
– Candidates will participate in the Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally on Nov. 13.
– The crowning is scheduled for halftime of the Nov. 14 game against Jacksonville State.
– Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. at Houchens Industries–L.T. Smith Stadium.
What’s Next:
Student voting on Nov. 9 precedes the candidates’ parade and pep rally appearances Nov. 13 and the homecoming queen announcement during the Nov. 14 game.
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