By: Khadn Adderley
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The crowning of Homecoming King and Queen here at the University of Arkansas has been a tradition since 1922.
This year, Zan Johnson was crowned as the Homecoming King, and Chimdera Nzelu was crowned Homecoming Queen at the Homecoming Pep Rally at the Greek Theatre on Nov. 1st.
For Nzelu, winning this title meant more to her than just being the Queen, she found out that she was the first black Homecoming Queen in 10 years.
“My now friend Kimberly came to me, screaming with excitement, and I was like, who are you?”, said Chimdera Nzelu, senior nursing major. “She said to me, you’re the first black homecoming queen in 10 years.”
Nzelu was nominated for Homecoming Court by the Inspirational Chorale back in September.
The decision came from members of the 2019-2020 board who felt Nzelu was the right fit for the position.
“She is constantly leading not only inside of the choir room, but in everything she’s involved in on campus” said Nicole Dominguez, VP, Marketing and Relations for the Inspirational Chorale. “She’s just a light everywhere she goes.”
This title for Nzelu became the 2nd Homecoming Title in a row for a Inspirational Chorale nominee. Last year, Lydia Fielder, nominated by the Chorale, won the title of 2018 UARK Homecoming Queen.
For Nzelu, though she says pageantry is not in her future, she wants young girls who may attend schools where only a few people look like her, to keep striving for greatness.
“Just be authentic, be honest, be kind, and that will get you further than you could ever imagine,” said Nzelu. “Cause that’s what happened to me.”
Seniors at the University of Arkansas will get their chance to vie for the title of Homecoming Queen again next year in 2020.