By Jaci Schneider, Opinion Editor

Ten senior women were kidnapped Wednesday night, taken to the Alumni Relations Office and notified they had been nominated for Homecoming Queen.

Last week, students nominated 279 women to the Court, and students will vote for one of the top 10 nominees for Queen Oct. 13-15.

The Queen’s Activities committee of the Homecoming Steering Committee organized the kidnapping of the 10 women, said Betsey Craig, coordinator of Queen’s Activities for Homecoming.

“It’s all kinds of fun and a surprise,” she said.

The committee decorated the alumni office and prepared snacks for the women after the kidnapping.

Jenny Fullerton, senior speech pathology major from Garland, said she was surprised when the kidnappers came to her Sigma Theta Chi meeting.

“Ten people dressed in black came knocking on my door,” she said. “It was intimidating, but it was funny. I was really shocked, but I’m really excited.”

Laci Bills, senior exercise science and special education major from Sherman and vice president of Ko Jo Kai, also said she was surprised at the announcement.

“I had no idea, but it’s such an honor,” Bills said. “I just think it’s going to be really neat to be part of the Homecoming tradition. It’s something I’ll remember forever.”

The women will take part in a Queen’s Tea the Friday of Homecoming Week, which will include the Coming Home Court – queen nominees from 10 years ago, Craig said.

The nominees will be presented in Chapel Friday and Saturday of Homecoming and ride in convertibles for the Homecoming Parade Saturday.

During half time of the football game, the 2004 Homecoming Queen will be announced.

“It’s going to be a really busy week,” Fullerton said.

Misty Wilcox, senior elementary education major from Bedford and pledge-mom for GATA, said she will also be really busy that week, but she said she’s looking forward to the excitement.

“It’s an honor,” Wilcox said, “and it’s really exciting and fun.