Arielle Collier was crowned Homecoming queen during halftime of the football game on Saturday.
The crowd decked in purple cheered as the senior vocal performance major from Mesquite accepted the crown, all smiles.
Collier was one of ten female ACU students who were nominated for Homecoming queen. The women were nominated based on their activity on campus, said Samantha Adkins, senior alumni relations officer
“You are looking for women who are involved on campus and who represent ACU well,” Adkins said. “It’s important to see someone who is involved in many aspects.”
Collier has been visibly involved in many aspects of campus life. She is an A Capella Chorus member, opera performer, Big Purple Marching Band section leader, class representative and Alpha Kai Omega Sing Song director, to name a few of the positions that have kept Collier busy throughout her years at ACU.
Five years ago, ACU wasn’t even on Collier’s radar. Collier’s mother said a friend suggested that she visit the campus.
“It’s been history ever since,” said Collier’s mother. “She’s loved it, I’ve loved it – this has been the best choice she could have ever made.”
Nicky Collier, uncle of Arielle Collier, joined her on the field during the halftime presentation. He said he was more nervous than she was.
“I’m excited, I’m so proud of her, I’m happy for her,” Nick Collier said. “I hope she keeps up great success throughout her life.”
Collier exited the field to a crowd of friends and family waiting to congratulate her.She had no words to express how she felt.
“I am excited and speechless. My head is so jumbled right now,” Collier said.
Though just a title to some, homecoming queen is an honor to Collier.
“I feel very honored that I have gotten the chance to inspire people and to just have an impact on people’s lives,” Collier said. “I think that’s my ultimate goal – and I think that’s everyone’s goal, really – just to see how many people you can impact and to make a name for yourself in this world.”
Next year homecoming queen will look a little different, according to Adkins. Besides campaigning being outlawed, ACU hopes to add a little weight to the honor.
“We don’t really ask our homecoming queen to do much, she receives the award and that’s basically it,” Adkins said. “After this year we’ve decided it definitely needs a little bit more than you get a crown and you get attention for a little bit. There needs to be more – maybe you represent the alumni office or you get some scholarship with it or something like that.”
Although Collier received no job representing the alumni office and without scholarship money, she intends positively accept new-found attention.
“I’m going to be a better student and a better role model in campus. I’m more aware of what I’m doing at times,” Collier said.
During her four years at ACU, Collier set out to do one thing: make a difference. Winning homecoming queen helped her realize the reality of her accomplishment.
“I guess this means that I did,” Collier said.
