Campus coronation

Meet the 2008 Homecoming king and queen candidates

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Posted: 9/19/08

The Daily Orange looks at the candidates for Homecoming king and queen.

THE KINGS

Sammy Kanter - the Star of the Show
Don't let his last name fool you. Sammy Kantor is in no way related to Chancellor Nancy Cantor (different spelling, see?) Nonetheless, Kanter is very much involved in the Syracuse University community, co-producing First Year Players, creating "SU Idol" and directing Oy Cappella during his four years at SU. Kanter, a newspaper major with minors in theater and psychology, has been involved with the theater group FYP since his freshman year. Participating in the past productions of "Anything Goes," "West Side Story" and "Fame," Kanter said he thinks that the theater group brings a lot to campus and to alumni. "It's not only a thrilling high to see the show on stage for an audience, but FYP alumni return to SU, we participate in traditions, give gifts, shed tears and celebrate the success another show." When asked what he would do with his title he said, "Cry a little bit, cancel class and hold the crown close to my heart for many years after graduation to always remember these incredible four years."

Ian Solomon - The Mean Streak
A glance at Ian Solomon's proposed course of action as possible Homecoming king would reveal some unorthodox choices. But then, one would expect a few eccentricities from someone who went streaking on the beaches of Tel Aviv, Israel. Solomon, a senior television, radio and film major, stays involved on campus through the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, CitrusTV and Oy Capella. He is also active at the Winnick Hillel Center, the SU Spirit Team and the SU Outing club. So what exactly would Solomon change? Orange toilets throughout campus, transformation of the Carrier Dome into a moon bounce and the addition of a day between Thursday and Friday to be called "Grilled Cheese Day."

James Bell- The Nightrider
Behold, the symbol of Batman shines off a bedroom wall. Is danger ahead? Nope, that's just James Bell's nightlight. This senior information management and technology major is a proud member of the Student Leadership Institute as well as the Hawaii/Pacific Islander Student Association. Out of his four years at SU, Bell's favorite memory is watching The Dome turn from complete silence into an eruption of excitement after Terrance Roberts scored a three-point basket at the buzzer to defeat Rutgers. He is also involved in the Learning Community Activities Board, Student Technology Advisory Roundtable, U100, National Residence Hall Honorary, Creativity Innovation and Entrepreneurship Learning Community, is an office assistant supervisor at Recreation Services and finally is a resident advisor in DellPlain Hall.

Benjamin Youngerman - The rich and famous
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is funding Benjamin Youngerman's books next semster, well kind of. After interviewing Palin last year when he was broadcasting for the Alaska Baseball League, he got her autograph on a baseball card that he plans on selling. This senior broadcast journalism and political science dual is president of the a capella group, Orange Appeal and co-captain of the SU Cheerleading team, in addition to being an active member of WAER sports department and CitrusTV. Apparently, Palin isn't the only celebrity Youngerman's brushed shoulders with. His favorite memory from SU is singing "Movin' Out" for a red-eyed Billy Joel at the 2006 Commencement, a week before he checked into rehab. If Youngerman won the Homecoming King title, he said he would share it with all his friends in his various clubs.

Matt Abdifar - The Peacemaker
Matt Abdifar wants world peace. In fact, if he were to become homecoming king, that would be his first call of duty. Abdifar, a policy studies and political science major, is on his way to make that happen. As Interfraternity Council President, he has chaired and attended dozens of community service and philanthropic events. He also serves the Council on Greek Life, is part of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity, on the Homecoming Committee, helps plan the Winter Carnival, is part of the Phi Kappa Alpha Honors Fraternity and works at the SU Fitness Center. So even if his plate is full, he still is modest and just wants to help the SU community and obviously, the world. "I can't pick just one memory," he said. "Honestly, it's all of the friends I've made and the experiences I've had that have made my four years here at SU."

THE QUEENS

Shannon McLoughlin - The Legacy
Loving orange isn't anything new for Shannon McLoughlin. Her father attended Syracuse and was a part of the SU football team. He recently came back to the Hill for the premiere of "The Express," which he attended with his daughter. "Everyone was showing so much Orange spirit, and it was extremely special to me because I also got to share this experience with my dad who is an SU alum," she said. The senior public relations and marketing major has been a member of RHA, a resident advisor in Brewster Hall and studied abroad at the SU Abroad London Center in Fall 2007. Currently, she is Vice President of Gamma Phi Beta, a member of Students in Free Enterprise, PRSSA, Beta Gamma Sigma and a 2008-2009 Remembrance Scholar. They're activities she thinks will help her keep her ties with the university. "Meeting so many Syracuse alumni that are still coming back to celebrate these new milestones made me realize that no matter where you go after graduation, you will always be Orange."

Emily Thompson - The Pep Rally
When Emily Thompson was a freshman at Syracuse University, she went to the Big East game at Madison Square Garden, scalped tickets on the street and watched the Orange basketball team beat the University of Pittsburgh. This is what Thompson's best memory from SU, full of spirit and love for the Orange. "As Homecoming Queen I would do my best to represent the student body in any capacity I can," she said. "I would work hard and try to be a true model of Syracuse Pride and Tradition." This art history and public policy major is also involved as the Panhellenic Council President, in the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, as a Campus Tour Guide in U100 and a mentor in violence prevention.

Shannon Feeney - The Wonder Woman
Shannon Feeney isn't afraid of the snow. She doesn't care how cold it gets in the winter at Syracuse. She thrives in it. During a snowstorm her freshman year, she and her friends 'borrowed' trays from Kimmel to sled down the hill by Booth. It didn't end well for her, but she didn't care how cold it was or how much snow was on the ground. "Everyone gives us a hard time about being in the wintry tundra of Syracuse, but that moment made me proud that we are the ones who tough it out every year," the public relations and political science dual major said. Feeney is a member of the SU Spirit Team, a member of U100, works at People's Place and is a Newhouse Peer Advisor. If named homecoming queen, she plans to continue engaging herself in whatever way she can, including Winter Carnival events and Senior Celebration.

Megan Lange - The Flash
Having already conquered numerous communications-related activities, Megan Lange has her sights set on the title of Homecoming Queen. As a member of U100, comm.UNITY, The Daily Orange and the Newhouse Student Representative Committee, Lange is no stranger to on-campus involvement. She said her fondest Syracuse memory was the Georgetown basketball game in her sophomore year, during which TV crews and other media praised SU's outstanding team spirit. It's that sort of memory that drives Lange's quest for the crown this year, as well as her planned agenda if she wins. "My goal is to primarily get everyone revamped in Orange Pride for our athletics and school as a whole. It would be great to bring back past traditions to educate the students about the traditions SU was built upon."

Helen Koutsourades - The World Traveler
Helen Koutsourades has been on ESPN, visited Hong Kong and even met Elmo while interning at "Sesame Street." For most people, that would be enough - but not Helen. The senior public relations and entrepreneurship dual major hopes to add the title of Homecoming Queen to an already impressive résumé. "I'm always busy, running around with some activity, club or duty," she said. Among these schedule-fillers are University Union Concerts, the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and the Whitman Real Estate Club. And rather than setting lofty post-competition goals, she plans to keep things simple if she wins: "I'd just be a really great role model as someone that works hard academically, is involved both on- and off-campus and isn't afraid to be outgoing and fun."