This year, five men and five women will compete for the title of homecoming king and queen. Homecoming week is Feb. 14-19, and polls are currently open to vote.

“The homecoming king and queen are chosen from a combination of involvement, interview score, GPA, community service and student vote,” said junior Megan Mackie, spirit co-chair of the Association for Campus Entertainment. “You can vote by going to the ACE website at uncw.edu/ace and clicking on the homecoming logo.”

If you aren’t sure which candidate is best suited to represent UNCW, here’s some information about all 10 students on homecoming court:

Senior Matthew Victory is representing UNCW as student body president, and is a founding father of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He has also served as an orientation leader, a student advocate on the chancellor search committee and a founding father of the 1 in 4 men’s group.

“It is a complete honor to be able to be a part of the homecoming court, and I really appreciate the experience,” said Victory. “I believe that I have overcome many odds to become part of this campus. I was originally deferred admission from UNCW and finally was admitted several months later. I have lived off campus all four years which was a complete struggle to get involved originally, but persistence paid off.”

Senior Eric Morgan represents American Assembly for Men in Nursing. He is also a member of UNCW Student Ambassadors and PIKE.

“To be selected to represent the student body here at UNCW on homecoming court is an amazing honor and something I have only hoped for since freshman year,” said Morgan. “Though it would be extremely humbling to be selected homecoming king, I know that despite who wins this campus will be represented well as all candidates are exceptionally great guys.”

Senior Tyler Jones represents ACE as vice-president and is also an orientation leader and a founding father of PIKE. He is also a student worker in Randall library.

“I feel like being on homecoming court is an honor that represents all of the hard work I’ve put in during the course of my time here at UNCW,” said Jones. “Through my involvement I have made a diverse impact on this campus that would make any of my fellow Seahawks proud.”

 Senior Craig Dykstra represents the Residence Hall Association and has been a resident’s assistant for the past three years. He participates in the 1 in 4 men’s group, Academic Honor Board, Study Abroad Ambassadors and is a member of PIKE.

“I feel honored to be on the homecoming court. It feels great to be recognized by such a great and successful organization that is RHA,” said Dykstra. “I am proud to be nominated by such exemplary leaders. I believe that UNCW has made me the leader I am today, and I will always be proud of my school.”

Senior Zack Hamby represents the Screamin’ Seahawks as their president. He is an orientation leader, an RA in Schwartz Hall, a Seahawk Link and the only non-Greek male candidate.

“It has been an awesome four years, and I am truly honored to have this experience. And can’t wait to be cheering from the alumni section next year this time,” said Hamby.

Senior Tristan Manley represents Phi Mu fraternity. She is a service area manager in the CAIC office, has participated in the National Panhellenic Council as vice-president of recruitment, a Gamma Chi, and Order of Omega.

“Having the chance to be nominated for the position of homecoming queen is a great honor I feel because it allows one the opportunity to show their support and passion,” said Manly.

Senior Krystal Rucker represents RHA as vice president of programming and has participated in RHA since her freshman year.

“I have worked with the RHA since my freshmen year, and I have enjoyed planning programs such as Summer Sizzle, Seahawk Search and The Snowball,” said Rucker. “I hope attendees remember the excitement they experienced at these programs more so than they remember the person who planned them. I should be homecoming queen because my fellow Seahawks believe I am a good role model, student leader and teal advocate.”

Junior Sally Shupe represents the student ambassadors as committee chair of public relations. She is also vice president of recruitment for Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.

“All of the candidates are amazing people that love serving UNCW, and I feel lucky to have the chance to be recognized beside them as part of the court,” said Shupe. “I would appreciate students to vote for me based on my love for UNCW, and the pride I have from being a student here.”

Junior Brooke Britt is representing Alpha Gamma Delta as their president. She is serves the Student Government Association as junior class senator and serves on the Academic Honor Board.

“When I think of our homecoming queen, I picture someone who is outgoing, highly respected and a role model for UNCW students,” said Britt. “For me to even imagine that I could be that person is indescribable and an honor within itself.”

Senior Shannon Rodenheiser is representing Alpha Phi sorority. She is also the president of ACE and a member of Order of Omega. Rodenheiser was not available for comment.

More information on all of the candidates can be found at www.uncw.edu/ace.