September 29, 2005

LIVINGSTON, Ala.—The University of West Alabama’s 2005 Homecoming Court was presented Wednesday night after online voting ended last week. The Homecoming Queen, a well-guarded secret that was announced during the annual Serendipity Talent Show, was chosen from the five elected upperclassman. The other four nominees for Homecoming Queen will serve as the Queen’s Court, along with the Freshman and Sophomore Maids.

Melissa Johnson was named Homecoming Queen. A senior history major from Berry, Ala., she is the daughter of James Johnson and the late Valerie Johnson. She serves as a Resident Assistant, UWA Ambassador and Student Government Association senator. Johnson is also a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Alpha Chi and Cardinal Key. She was president of Phi Eta Sigma and is on the President’s List.

Mahalia Gray, of Northport, Ala., was chosen to represent the freshman class. She is the daughter of Steve and Paula Gray, and the granddaughter of Helen Gray of Berry, Ala., and Skeet and Pat Boone of Northport. A nursing major, Gray is also a UWA cheerleader and a member of Phi Mu sorority.

Tuscaloosa nursing major Erika Jones will represent the sophomore class. Jones is the daughter of Angela Motley of Youngstown, Ohio and Stan Motley of Tuscaloosa. Her grandparents are Frances Motley, Patricia Jones and William Hurst, all of Tuscaloosa. Jones is a member of Delta Sigma Theta and Student Support Services. She also tutors for the Upward Bound program.                                                                      

Chiquita Carter of Louisville, Miss., is a member of the Homecoming Court. A junior history major, she is the daughter of Luedean and Charles Carter, and the granddaughter of Kittie Mae and L.C. Carter and the late Jessie and Eddie Mae Carter, all of Louisville. Carter is a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, Alpha Phi Omega, Students in Free Enterprise and Student Support Services.

Heather Murphy of Dixon Mills, Ala., is a member of the Homecoming Court. She is the daughter of Elaine Murphy of Dixon Mills and Fletcher Wright of Thomasville, Ala. Her grandparents are Daisy Murphy of Dixon Mills and Marie Wright of Thomasville. Murphy is a junior psychology major. She is a member of Alpha Phi Omega, Student Support Services, Student Advisory Board and Students in Free Enterprise.

Candi Naylor, a junior business administration major, is a member of the Homecoming Court.  She is the daughter of Scott Naylor of Greensboro, Ala., and Merri Ruth Smith of Tuscaloosa. Naylor serves as an Orientation Leader, a UWA Ambassador and Vice President of Phi Mu sorority. She is also a UWA cheerleader.

Leigh Russell of York, Ala. is the final member of the Homecoming Court.  A senior majoring in business administration, she is the daughter of Dan and Beth Russell. She is a UWA Ambassador and an  Orientation Leader. Russell was named Miss UWA 2004 and Miss Paragon 2003. She is also a member of Students in Free Enterprise, Phi Kappa Phi, Delta Mu Delta, Blue Key and Omicron Delta Kappa.

The seven ladies will ride through downtown Livingston in the Homecoming parade at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1 and will also be presented during halftime of the UWA/Ouachita Baptist football game. Johnson, the new Queen, will be crowned by last year’s winner, Melanie Moffett, and presented roses by UWA President Richard Holland.