Seniors in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, Mackenzie Chase, 21, and Elaine Gerlt, 20, are two of just five candidates who are running for homecoming queen. Both students were nominated by their Greek chapters\u2014Chase by Kappa Alpha Theta and Gerlt by Chi Omega\u2014for their outstanding leadership skills and dedicated involvement at UCF.<\/p>\n
This is the first time they have been selected to be on the court.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be chosen along with other amazing candidates was such a great honor,\u201d said Chase. \u201cI am so excited to take part in all the homecoming festivities and grow friendships with all the other candidates.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chase is a member of the Student Nurses Association (SNA) and the prestigious President\u2019s Leadership Council. She also serves on the Morale Team for Knight-Thon, UCF\u2019s largest student-run philanthropy.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo me, merely being considered for queen is amazing but I would love to be given the opportunity to represent my university,\u201d said Chase. \u201cUCF has given me so much and being the homecoming queen is one of the best ways to show my love for the school.\u201d<\/p>\n
Also a member of the President\u2019s Leadership Council, Gerlt was excited to hear that she had been nominated by her Greek chapter. \u201cI was so honored and humbled by the nomination that there was no way I could pass up on applying for homecoming court,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Gerlt has been a member of the SNA Breakthrough to Nursing Committee, and also serves as a panel board member on the UCF Conduct Board and event director of Sigma Alpha Pi.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am the ideal candidate for homecoming queen because I have a passion for UCF and the high standards this community holds dear,\u201d said Gerlt. \u201cUCF stands for opportunity and I embody that ideal.\u201d<\/p>\n
The homecoming board, made up of students, chooses applicants who meet the basic requirements which include having a 3.0 GPA and being of junior, senior or graduate student standing. Applicants must be nominated by an organization or group on campus and submit a resume with their application.<\/p>\n