Collegiate Times

Lavinka and Bailey were both sponsored by non-Greek organizations.

A semester after their homecoming victory, Tech’s homecoming king and queen have positive feelings on their experiences.

“Homecoming is a great tradition,” said Nathan Lavinka, homecoming king and senior marketing management major. “It’s been great to be a part of it — it’s a lot of fun.”

Lavinka and Emily Bailey, homecoming queen and marketing management major, have participated in a variety of events, from the Homecoming celebrations to a children’s Halloween contest and a pillow fight on the Drillfield.

“Emily and I were actually asked to kick it off, so I guess we started the reign of king and queen or whatever by whacking the Hokie Bird with pillows,” Lavinka said. “That was a lot of fun.”

The pair also served as judges in the Relay’s Best Dance Crew competition, which Lavinka called “a very cool experience.” The king and queen function as representatives of the university in the events they participate in.

“We’re kind of diplomats for Virginia Tech,” Bailey said. “So any time they need two students for any type of event they will contact Nathan and myself.”

The candidates will hold their positions until October, when they crown the next king and queen at homecoming. 

The 2010 homecoming selection was unique in that the king and queen were both sponsored by non-Greek organizations. The GERMAN Club sponsored Lavinka, and Bailey was sponsored by Campus Crusade for Christ.“In the past, homecoming has been very focused on Greek life, which is a great aspect of the community, I’m in a sorority,” Bailey said. “But that’s not the community at Virginia Tech at large.”

Although they see themselves as representatives for the university, Lavinka emphasized the importance of keeping the position in perspective.

“It’s all about the tradition, from the month of October, from the parade to the actual campaigning, to all the events that go along with it,” Lavinka said. “I think sometimes homecoming is definitely perceived in many different ways by many different people.”

“People will ask, ‘So what are you gonna do as homecoming king?’ It’s not like a platform for change, it’s not like a policy thing like SGA or class office or anything like that,” Lavinka said. “We’re here to represent the student body in any way that’s asked of us, but at the same time we’re just partaking in this tradition.” Both candidates offered advice for the upcoming homecoming court.

“If you’re interested in running for homecoming, always have the position in perspective,” Lavinka said. “There’s no reason to put the position up on a pedestal, because it is definitely a traditional position. You don’t run on a change platform, you don’t run with a political agenda, you run because you love Virginia Tech and because you think that you can relate to the students and represent the student body.”

Bailey said the best advice she could give the upcoming candidates was to be real. “Definitely enjoy it,” Bailey said. “It is a good experience, get to know the people who are on court with you and be friends with them.”

The meetings for applying to the next homecoming court take place on March 29 and 30 in Squires 341. Prospective candidates must attend on of those meetings to be considered.

“If you love Virginia Tech and if you really want to be part of a very traditional event, then definitely sign up for homecoming,” Lavinka said.

A version of this article appeared in the Mar 17 issue of the Collegiate Times.