As FAU gears up to celebrate its 60th year as a university, the battle for Homecoming royalty has been underway for the past week with voting starting today. Black FAU has a total of five candidates in this year’s race to royalty. Read below to meet this year’s candidates and be sure to visit https://fau.campuslabs.com/engage/  to cast your vote. 

This year’s candidates (in alphabetical order): 

Michael Gaines 

Senior 

Major: Marketing 

What made you decide to run? 

I feel a deep connection to FAU being that the school has molded me into the person I am now and given me the tools to be the person I want to be. I want to run so I can represent the school and repay them. 

Why should students vote for you? 

Students should vote for me because I feel like I am a man of the people. I want to put everybody in the best position to win and I feel like I’m the best person to do so. 

How has your journey at FAU  brought you to this point? 

From day one I was very involved on campus and that lead me to being in the circles and situation I was in. Every resource I was given from FAU has pushed me to be the best version of myself and believe regardless of circumstance that the job can always be done. 

Alicia J Kinney

Graduate Student 

Major: MBA Sports Management

What made you decide to run? 

I decided to run because I wanted to get out of my comfort zone.  Even though I’ve done a lot both in my undergrad and now graduate time at FAU, I am still person that loves being in the background. However, running has allowed me to engage with the student body more and get out of my comfort zone. 

Why should students vote for you? 

Students should vote for me because I really know what it is to be an FAU student. Over the years I have been involved in numerous organizations and with all of my involvement and all that I’ve done to give back to FAU, I feel more than qualified for homecoming royalty. 

How has your journey at FAU  brought you to this point? 

All of the resources that I have taken away from FAU even as a graduate student, has brought me to this point. I am continuously building a family and a foundation here that will last a lifetime. At FAU you’re never really too far from family no matter where you are, it’s truly a family away from home. 

Joseph Mazlanovich

Senior

Major: International Business 

What made you decide to run?

I decided to run because of what Homecoming Royalty represent to the student body and the school overall. Being that I am very in touch with the student body and understand their different personalities, on a larger scale, I believe that I can serve as a great representation for them. Adding to my experience as an Student Admissions Representative with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, I’ve assisted in the enrollment of new student and had the opportunity to interact and understand what it is they want their college experience to be like.

Why should students vote for you? 

My involvement on campus speaks for itself, since stepping foot into Florida Atlantic University, I made it a goal to enjoy and engulf myself as much as possible to fully experience the “college life”. We are one of the most diverse public institutions in the nation, and I’ve had the chance to truly experience this diversity by building bonds with people at every intersection of this campus. Students should vote for me because I am a man of the people, a man of purpose, and I encourage everyone to achieve their best at every turn.

How has your journey at FAU  brought you to this point?

My journey at Florida Atlantic University has been a journey of growth. I say this because compared to me 5 years ago in high school, I have matured a lot, and that is all thanks to the opportunities that not only the university presented but also because of the great minds I’ve met along the road that helped sharpen/mold me into the man I am today. A great representative of the student body should know to be confident, be comfortable in uncomfortable circumstances, and most importantly, understand. Which are all aspects that are incorporated in my journey here at this remarkable university. Leading me to a point of also impacting those around me.

Noah Mbonu 

Senior

Major: Criminal Justice

Minor: Political Science 

What made you decide to run?

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time here at FAU and going into my senior year I definitely wanted to go out with a statement made. Running for homecoming royalty was always a dream of mine since entering college and would be one of the biggest achievements in my life. Although running is a goal of mine, It would still be a honor to represent everyone here on campus and to leave in impact that everyone an be apart of 

Why should students vote for you? 

Like previously stated, I’m not just running for myself, I’m running for everyone that attends FAU. If granted the opportunity to win homecoming royalty my goal would be to unify FAU as much as possible. Being the most diverse college in Florida can be a positive and a negative as a stronger bridge can be built between the rich cultures here at FAU.

How has your journey at FAU brought you to this point?

The journey here has brought nothing but positive things for me so far. My second year at FAU Covid hit but luckily for me I was still in contact with majority of my peers. I am heavily involved on campus which has significantly impacted my time as well, going to different events and meeting new people as well. 

Tahj Wilson

Senior

Major: Political Science and Commercial Music Business 

What made you decide to run?

I decided to run for homecoming 1.) because I felt that I was a unique candidate and that I am a candidate who represents the student body very well. In past years while I’ve been at the university, every homecoming has gone to a member of a Greek organization. I love that, because I am a big supporter of our Greeks, despite not being Greek myself. But at times it felt like it was the requirement to win. I felt that I am the candidate that will break that norm this year. I want to show that a well respected and loved student on campus has the ability to win. And plus I was born to be king. 

Why should students vote for you? 

I think students should vote for me because I am a representation of them. I represent diversity, empathy, academic excellence and black excellence. I honestly do not feel that there is one person on this campus that could say a negative word about me. I am a man of the people, and I make it my duty for everyone to feel seen, heard and appreciated! And plus I’m fun to be around.

How has your journey at FAU brought you to this point?

My journey at FAU has brought me to this point, because I have grown not only as a student, but as a person and a man. I have always been involved on campus but I never took the time to be the center of attention in my endeavors per say. I always had fun and participated within my clubs and orgs and I am pretty well known, but I never ran for eboard, or done any sort of pageant, because I was so invested in school and other things. This year I had a change of heart. it is my last year being that I am a Sr., and I wanted to step out the box and challenge myself while doing something fun.

Now that you’ve met the candidates make sure you vote! Also, be sure to cheer on the owls this Saturday against UTEP and stick around for halftime to see who takes home the crown.