By Mallory Sherwood, Managing Editor

Instead of worrying about what to do if her name was called, Evan Lindsay quietly discussed who deserved to win the title of Homecoming Queen with her father and nearly missed the announcement that she won the 2005-06 Homecoming Queen title.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be Homecoming Queen,” said Lindsay, senior secondary science education major from Houston. “I couldn’t even comprehend how to behave once I realized they actually called my name.”

Lindsay didn’t believe she would win Homecoming Queen, much less be nominated, she said.

“My mom was really excited and said, ‘I told you so,’ because I didn’t think I would even be nominated,” Lindsay said.

She said it was cool to be able to share in this experience with her mom, who was on the Homecoming Court in 1979, while President of Ko Jo Kai.

“She was a Kojie, and I am the president of [Sigma Theta Chi], so we haven’t been able to share in the same traditions before,” Lindsay said. “This was the first.”

Lindsay’s younger sister, Morgan a junior finance major from Houston, was also excited about her nomination.

“My sister was probably my biggest supporter ever,” Lindsay said. “She would always encourage me and send me cards during the past few weeks.”

Lindsay said other friends, club and family members also encouraged her throughout the process.

“My favorite part of this experience has been getting to know the other girls,” Lindsay said. She said she knew many of the girls on the Homecoming Court, but through this past month they have become friends.

“This was a really fun group of girls,” Lindsay said. “I got to know them better and have formed friendships, so now when I see them on campus I can ask them how they are and truly know what is going on in their lives.”

Lindsay was escorted by her father to Friday’s Chapel and to the Homecoming game on Saturday and was escorted by her grandfather to Saturday’s Homecoming Chapel.

“I am close to both my dad and my grandpa, and I wanted both to be able to join me in this experience,” Lindsay said.

Instead of celebrating with her grandparents, parents, sister, an aunt, cousins and her boyfriend, Lindsay went home and took a nap to catch up on sleep. The group later went to dinner, the Homecoming Musical and out for coffee to celebrate, she said.

“To be named Homecoming Queen is such a honor,” Lindsay said. “It is such a special thing to be recognized by the students. It is a neat deal.”

Betsey Craig, coordinator of queen’s activities for Homecoming, said Lindsay received 29 percent of the vote.

“It totally hasn’t sunk in yet, and I don’t know what to do with this crown,” Lindsay said. “I just admire it in its box and invite all my friends to come over and try it on. If I could say just one word about it, I would say this has been such a great honor.”