The homecoming royalty candidates are, front row from left: Abi Pence, Zoe Davis, Mika Bean, Whitnei Long, Paula Garcia, Adriana Montiel-Lopez, and Laynee Dinger. Second row: Amauri Huskey, Lexie Lockwood, Ava Littleton, Karen Campos, Alli Arnold, and Madilynn Martin. Back row: Jamya Kilgore, Kaylee Mallette, Emily Bustillos, Jancey Thomas, and Dekota Jones.

Henderson State University is preparing to celebrate Homecoming 2026 with a variety of activities planned for the week of Oct. 19-24, culminating with the crowning of homecoming royalty.

Eighteen candidates were announced recently, and voting by the student body will begin next week. Ten finalists will be revealed Oct. 22 during the annual homecoming pep rally.

The introduction of the full court, followed by the coronation ceremony, will take place during football pre-game festivities on Oct. 24 when the Reddies host Arkansas Tech at 1 p.m. at Carpenter-Haygood Stadium.

The 2026 homecoming court includes:

Jamya Kilgore

Killgore is a business administration major from Fordyce and is sponsored by Housing and Community Standards.

Emily Bustillos

Bustillos is a health & human performance major from Frisco, Texas, and is sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma.

Lexie Lockwood

Lockwood is an interdisciplinary studies major from Cabot and is sponsored by Alpha Xi Delta.

Whitnei Long

Long is a nursing major from Hot Springs and is sponsored by Alpha Xi Delta.

Ava Littleton

Littleton is a sport management major from Kennedale, Texas, and is sponsored by Phi Lambda Chi.

Alli Arnold

Arnold is a nursing major from Arkadelphia and is sponsored by Diamond Dolls.

Amauri Huskey

Huskey is a middle level education major from Monticello and is sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Kaylee Mallette

Mallette is a health & human performance major from Wichita, Kansas, and is sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Paula Garcia

Garcia is an elementary education major from Amity and is sponsored by Sigma Tau Gamma.

Madilynn Martin

Martin is a nursing major from England, Arkansas, and is sponsored by Alpha Sigma Alpha.

Karen Campos

Campos is an elementary education major from Pittsburg, Texas, and is sponsored by Phi Lambda Chi.

Adriana Montiel-Lopez

Monitel-Lopez is an elementary education major from De Queen and is sponsored by Alpha Sigma Alpha.

Jancey Thomas

Thomas is a nursing major from Arkadelphia and is sponsored by Kappa Sigma.

Laynee Dinger

Dinger is an elementary education major from De Queen and is sponsored by Phi Lambda Chi.

Abi Pence

Pence is a finance major from Bismarck and is sponsored by Alpha Sigma Tau.

Mika Bean

Bean is a business major from Sparkman and is sponsored by Alpha Sigma Tau.

Dekota Jones

Jones is a sports administration major from Arkadelphia and is sponsored by Reddie Football.

Zoe Davis

Davis is a psychology/criminal justice major from Arkadelphia and is sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta.

For more information about homecoming activities, please visit hsu.edu/homecoming.