By Mallory Schlabach, Editor in Chief

Lindsey Jessup was focusing on smiling and clapping for the 2006 Homecoming Queen when she heard her name announced on the loud speaker in Shotwell Stadium on Saturday.

“I had no clue that I would be named Homecoming Queen,” said Jessup, senior human communication major from Bakersfield, Calif. “I had a delayed reaction because it took me several moments to process what the person actually said.”

Jessup said the first thing that came out of her mouth, was “Shut up!” She said a wave of excitement hit her when Ashlie (Griggs) Stegemoller, the 1996 Homecoming Queen, crowned her.

“I definitely didn’t think that I’d be the winner Saturday,” Jessup said. “I was just honored to be standing on the field.”

Jessup, Delta Theta’s president, said the whole Homecoming Queen process has been fun and an honor.

Betsey Craig, coordinator for the Alumni Network, worked with the nominees during the past two weeks.

She said a normal amount of students voted for Homecoming Queen last week, and that the vote for queen was close between three of the nominees. Jessup won with 22.8 percent of the vote.

Craig, who has been working with queen activities since 2000, said the Homecoming Queen event is a neat tradition on campus. She said there are no special duties the queen has to fulfill, just she, and the other nine nominees can return in 10 years for the Coming Home court.

“I really enjoy the Coming Home court as much as the queen nominees,” she said. “It’s just a fun tradition that we can pass on.”

In the past several days since Jessup was crowned, she said she has had many people Facebook her, come up to her on campus, call her and tell her congratulations.

“It’s just a huge honor for me because now I am a permanent part of ACU’s history. It’s great,” she said. “I’m excited for this opportunity and can’t express my gratitude for those that voted for me.”