BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College students voted seniors Talia Cooper and Hunter Williams  as Homecoming Royalty and after a quick kiss on the field – the couple is engaged – Williams ditched his crown for his helmet to return to the Bobcat locker room during halftime Saturday.

Cooper, a nursing major from Beckley, West Virginia, is the chapter president of Alpha Xi Delta, a Kappa Alpha Order Sweetheart, the Senior Class Committee Secretary, part of the We Lead Invisible Illness Team, a WVWC Student Ambassador and a Student Nurses of Wesleyan member.

Williams, from Beckley, West Virginia, is an exercise science major and plans to get a master’s in athletic training. He is Kappa Alpha Order President, Alpha Xi Delta Sweetie Pooh in addition to being a member of the football team.

Eight more seniors were also recognized on the Homecoming Court.

Joshua Castro ‘24 is an environmental studies major from Laurel, Maryland. He is a member of the WVWC football team and Kappa Alpha Order.

Kaitlynn Peña ‘24 is a nursing major from Harlingen, Texas. Kaitlynn is the President of the Student Nurses of Wesleyan, a member of the Women’s Soccer Team, and Alpha Delta Pi. Kaitlynn would like to shout out her parents and little brother for all of their support and encouragement during her college years. She would also like to thank her friends back at home and at WVWC for encouraging her to be the best version of herself.

Laila Calhoun ‘24 is a criminal justice and psychology major from Greenbank, West Virginia. She is a member of the women’s basketball and track and field teams. She is also a member of the Army National Guard.

Novalee Schmidt ‘24 is a psychology and criminal justice major from Inwood, West Virginia. She is the chapter events director for Alpha Xi Delta, Beta Sigma and is a member of the WE LEAD Human Rights team.

Abby Bowe ‘24 is a biochemistry major from Charleston, West Virginia. She is a member of Alpha Delta Pi and Benzene Ring Chemistry Club.

Lillian Almand ‘24 is a psychology and political science major from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Lillian is a member of Alpha Delta Pi, works as a Resident Director for the Campus Life Office, and in the Psychology research lab.

Jenna Gomez ’24 is a Health Science major from Apple Valley, California. Jenna is a member of the softball team.

Maya Reyes ’24 is a criminal justice and psychology major from Staten Island, N.Y. She is a member of the softball team and Alpha Xi Delta.

Junior attendant Savannah O’Shields ‘25 is a marketing major with a biology minor from Bethany Beach, Delaware. She is part of the softball team, a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, a Greek life PR intern, works at the writing center and is a Kappa Alpha Rose.

Sophomore attendant Cadence Ringer ’26  is a marketing major from Buckhannon, West Virginia. She is a member of Alpha Delta Pi, Student Senate Secretary, an employee at Country Time Cooking, and the 2023 Clay County Golden Delicious Festival Queen.

Freshman attendant Sydney Baird ’27 is a five-year athletic training/exercise science major from Webster Springs, West Virginia. She is a member of the women’s basketball and golf teams.

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2024 Best Colleges in the Southeastern Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan eighth in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students more than 50 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and clinical mental health counseling; 20 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.