By Jonathan Smith, Editor in Chief

After being kidnapped, blindfolded and taken to a central location Wednesday night, 10 women removed their blindfolds to discover they would be this year’s Homecoming queen nominees.

Betsey Craig, coordinator of Queen’s Activities during Homecoming, said surprising the nominees is a long standing tradition.

“It’s a lot of fun for everyone, especially as the nominees learn who else is on the court,” Craig said.

Almost 400 students nominated women during the past week before the 10 with the most nominations were chosen. Students will have an opportunity to vote online at www.acu.edu/queen Oct. 5-7 to select the Homecoming queen.

Members of the Queen’s Activities committee went around campus and town Wednesday night to pick up each nominee and brought them back to the Alumni Relations Office.

Jessica Masters, senior English major from Tallahassee, Fla., said she was not sure what to think when several people dressed in camouflage came into her Tri Kappa Gamma club meeting. But when they announced she would be a Homecoming queen nominee before blindfolding her and taking her away, Masters said it came as a shock.

“I was kind of nervous because I didn’t know what was happening,” Masters said. “I’m honored I get to represent my club and student body.”

Evan Lindsay, independent studies major from Houston and president of Sigma Theta Chi whose mother also was nominated as Homecoming queen in 1978, said she wasn’t sure what to think when people came to take her.

“I had no idea when the girls came in the room to kidnap me,” Lindsay said. “I actually thought that I was in trouble for something.”

Gentry Rush, senior marketing major from Lewisville and president of Alpha kai Omega, said she was surprised to be chosen.

“I am not really the Homecoming queen type at all,” Rush said. “I was shocked and honored to be nominated. It was really out of nowhere.”

Craig said nominees will be introduced briefly during Chapel on Friday, then formally introduced during Homecoming Chapels on Oct. 14-15. During Homecoming, they will ride in the Homecoming Parade and participate in the Queen’s Tea, which will be with the queen nominees from 10 years ago. The winner will be announced at halftime of the football game at Shotwell Stadium.

Homecoming queen nominees

Abra Barker, integrated marketing communication major from Flower Mound.