A UConn Coronation

Nerves were on end throughout the Jorgensen Center for Performing Arts as the scores were tallied and Dean of Students Lee Williams led a "UConn Huskies" chant. At the end of the homecoming pageant, the homecoming king and queen were announced. Steve DeLusant, representing Sigma Epsilon Phi and their homecoming sorority partner Kappa Alpha Theta, as well as their homecoming fraternity partner Sigma Chi won for homecoming king. Carolyn Whitman, representing her Delta Gamma and homecoming fraternity partner Sigma Alpha Epsilon, won for homecoming queen.

From the beginning, the room was buzzing with anticipation for the night to come as dozens of greek organizations, cultural centers and UConn students filled the auditorium. Amongst the crowd, hand-made signs showing support stood out like diamonds.

The room glowed red as Laura Sharp, the homecoming chairperson from SUBOG, welcomed the students and gave a brief overview of the rest of this week's homecoming events spanning from Demetri Martin's performance at Jorgensen tomorrow night to the annual Lip Sync competition at Gampel Pavilion Saturday night.

Sharp introduced Williams, who acted as the master of ceremonies for the night.

"This could be the coolest thing I've ever gotten to do as the Dean of Students," said Williams.

Williams introduced the judges for the night's events, including staff from Career Services, the Office for Orientation and Student Union operations. After a brief run-down of the particulars for the night's events, the pageant began.

The agenda for the night included three rounds for the remaining homecoming king and queen candidates, including costume, performance and evening wear. The fourth component for judging came from the second round of balloting, which concluded yesterday at 4 p.m.

Potential queens included Christine Zarella, Ewelina Haracz, Caroline Whitman, Fabrizia Harisi, Ewelina Haracz and Christine Zarella. The king hopefuls were Mike Bifulco, Steve DeLusant, Brandon Luna, Addler Pluviose and Jordan England.

Weaved in between the different aspects of the homecoming king and queen competitions, each of the remaining contenders for the alma mater contest came out and showed their stuff to the excited audience.

Participants in the alma mater competition on stage included the Rainbow Center, the Conn-Men, Kappa Alpha Theta, Sigma Phi Epsilon, the Puerto Rican/Latin American Cultural Center, Kappa Sigma and the West Indian Student Awareness Organization.

Each contestant wore a costume that represented himself or herself. The costume component to the pageant brought hilarious aspects to an already fun-filled night. Talents ranged from poetry recitation, jazz dancing and singing to Broadway acts and a rock-star style performance. The crowd erupted when Steve DeLusant did his rendition of "Evolution of Dance," highlighted by a Michael Jackson "Thriller" impression, and "shopping cart" and "running man" dance moves.

The evening gown competition kicked off with all of the candidates gracing the stage together preparing for a one-minute question-and-answer session while styling their formal wear. Some of the questions asked included "Sum up UConn in three words," "As a UConn student what gives you the most pride about being here?" and "What is your opinion about on and off-campus housing?", amongst others.

"I thought that it was an amazing experience to be able to be a part of something so big on campus," said pageant contestant Ewelina Haracz, a 7th-semester nursing major and member of Phi Sigma Pi. "All the girls were really nice and it wasn't extremely competitive, which was great."

DeLusant, a 7th-semester marketing major, commented on his win.

"I feel great representing my organization and everyone in the competition did a great job," he said. "We all became really great friends through this pageant and I look forward to seeing them Friday and Saturday night."

The rest of the winners were as follows:

For Alma Mater:

3rd - The West Indian Student Awareness Organization.

2nd - The Conn Men

1st - Kappa Sigma, Kickline and Alpha Phi.

For Banner:

3 - DZ & ZBT

2 - Kappa Sigma, Kickline and Alpha Phi.

1 - The rainbow center

Results for marching

3 - African American Cultural Center

2 - PR/LAAC

1 - Rainbow Center

Homecoming King & Queen:

4th female runner-up - Tiffany Schroeder

4th male runner-up - Mike Bifulco

3rd female runner-up - Ewelina Haracz

3rd male runner-up - Addler Pluvious

2nd female runner-up - Christine Zarrella

2nd male runner-up - Jordan England

1st female runner-up - Fabrizia Harisi

1st male runner-up - Brandon Luna

Homecoming Queen - Carolyn Whitman

Homecoming King - Steve DeLusant

Contact Emily Abbate at Emily.Abbate@UConn.edu.

Editor's Note: The original version of this article incorrectly identified Delta Gamma's homecoming partner as Zeta Beta Tau. It is actually Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

Also, the original version listed Sigma Epsilon Phi's sole homecoming partner as Kappa Alpha Theta. They are also partnered with the Sigma Chi fraternity.

We regret the errors.