Homecoming is a peculiar occurrence. The day of festivities is compacted with laughter, free food, giveaways, and community.

During this particular event, individuals aren’t focused on what makes everyone different, but what makes everyone the same: they are Kean University cougars. There are two individuals of the Kean community who were voted as the individuals who encompass the responsible to be the faces of Kean University. Those individuals were crowned king and queen of Homecoming 2015: Paul Agui and Jacquelynn Rice.

Homecoming 2015 winners: Paul Agui and Jacquelynn Rice
Ojlivis Nunez l The Cougar's Byte

Some may wonder who this person who earned the crown of homecoming king is. Well, Agui is a senior biology major and, as he puts it, is “a person who wears many different hats.” With the hectic schedule he keeps, Agui can be found at various locations on campus. He is also a brother in the fraternity Beta Kappa Psi Black & Latino Fraternity Inc.

As for the queen, she is an individual who has established a strong presence on campus. Rice is a senior who has chosen to double major in special education and psychology. She has placed high importance upon her education, which has paid off as she has taken the leadership role of President of the Kean University chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, which is the International Education Honor Society.

Homecoming King Paul Agui
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Her leadership does not stop there. Rice has taken on responsibility within the Tau Gamma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority as Vice President. Not dedicating all of her time to academic and leadership roles, Rice is employed by the Office of Residential Student Services as a Desk Manager. With all her responsibility on campus, Rice is “still able to enjoy every moment at Kean University. I love to be able to bring my smile and laugh to the Kean community.”

Rice comments that she wanted to become homecoming Queen “because I thought it would be a fun opportunity.” Her campaign strategy to “was to just make sure everyone knew my name. With the help of my close friend group on campus, we were able to rally fellow Kean [University] students.”

Homecoming queen Jacquelynn Rice
Ojlivis Nunez l The Cougar's Byte

Stepping out on a limb and placing his name on the ballot, Agui is honored his fellow classmates voted him as homecoming king. Agui said he wanted to be homecoming king because “I honestly just thought it would be a great experience in becoming homecoming king, a lot of my friends on campus since last year have been telling me to run for king.  Once the invitation to run came out in September, I [saw] it as a perfect way to end my final year at Kean [University].”

He did not earn his crown without some work. Agui comments about his campaign strategy and how he isn’t “quite sure if I had one. I was pretty busy with classes, work, organizations I am part of and my internship. The only thing I actually did do was call off from everything [I had scheduled] on Wednesday, [October, 21] and told everyone I saw to not forget to vote for homecoming King or Queen on cougar link.”

The winners this year have truly demonstrated a concern for the community. Agui and Rice have upheld the Kean community to a high standard through various community services. Over his years at Kean University, Agui comments that he is a “part of the environmental club, physical therapy club, Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society and I also happen to pop my head into several other organizations on campus when I have time.”

Not only that, but Agui has also done work outside of the Kean University campus. “I work at T&L catering as a caterer on weekends.  I [also] have an internship currently with Overlook Medical Center (OMC) which I do every Wednesday morning. [I have also done volunteer work with] my Greek affiliation. Being Greek keeps me pretty involved with volunteer work off and on campus. For example a week ago I went with my brothers to Liberty State Park in Jersey City to volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Walks.”

As for the queen, Rice comments that she wanted to become homecoming Queen “because I thought it would be a fun opportunity.” Her campaign strategy “was to just make sure everyone knew my name. With the help of my close friend group on campus, we were able to rally fellow Kean [University] students.” Rice also comments on how she is very involved on campus: “I work for the office of residential student services as one of the student managers. I am also a proud member of the Tau Gamma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. [Not only that but she is also] the Delta Rho Chapter President of Kappa Delta Pi International Education Honor Society.”

All homecoming king and queen candidates
Ojlivis Nunez l The Cougar's Byte

While it is not a requirement, the king and queen typically demonstrate strong cougar pride. Rice bleeds blue and grey and is proud of it. “I bleed cougar blue by being active on campus. Supporting my fellow Kean [University] students by attesting their programs and making sure everyone stays focus. I want to make sure everyone is having as much fun as I am.” 

The second half of the royalty duo is cougar-proud as well. Agui comments that he is proud to be a Kean University student and soon to be alumnus. “Kean [University] itself has a friendly community with so much potential for greatness [and it is up to] the student to take advantage of it. And I thankfully feel that I look advantage of my years here.”

The Kean University cougars congratulate homecoming king Agui and queen Rice. There is no doubt the homecoming royalty of 2015 will do the crowns atop their heads justice.