At the Oct. 14 football game against Glenville State, one West Liberty University senior will be crowned 2017 homecoming queen. Among the candidates is Bridgeport High School alumna Meredith Garner. A 2014 graduate of BHS, Garner will represent the Lambda Psi Sigma sorority and will be escorted by her parents - also BHS graduates - Monica Hess Garner and Rod Garner. 

 

She couldn't be more excited. 

 

"Homecoming is a huge event on campus here. It has to be my favorite time of the year at this university because of how lively and spirited the student body becomes," Garner said. "It is a fun environment to be around because there are lots of students, alumni, parents, etc that are all on campus to enjoy the homecoming game."

 

Garner's running mate is The Hilltoppers' senior runningback Jeremiah Ortiz.

 

"We are heavily involved on campus and look forward to representing both of our organizations positively during homecoming week," she said. 

 

Garner is a public relations major and advertising minor. She will receive her undergraduate degree in December. She transferred to WLU in 2016 after attending West Virginia University for two years.

 

"(WVU) just wasn't for me. I couldn't find my place there," she said. "My parents suggested West Liberty and I agreed, but wasn't expecting to like it. Surprisingly, the moment I stepped on campus for the first time, I just knew this was the school I wanted to attend. The beautiful landscape and friendliness of students, faculty and staff just made it instantly feel like home." 

 

Since being on campus, Garner has served as president of the university's dance team, writer for "The Trumpet" (university newspaper), public relations chair for Lambda Psi Sigma, Zumba instructor, member of Alpha Chi Honors Society (Top 10 percent in her class) and participated in an on-campus internship with the media relations department of the university (PR intern). She will also soon be a member of Lambda Pi Eta (communications honors society). During the 2016-2017 school year, she received an "Outstanding Campus Involvement" award at the Greek Life banquet. 

 

"I am just so thankful for the opportunities this unversity has provided to allow me to grow as an individual and young professional," Garner said. "I have made friendships that will last a lifetime, and feel prepared to graduate with honors and confidently begin my career in PR."

 

Garner recently interned with the West Virginia Black Bears semiprofessional baseball team. She turned heads and opened eyes when - on the fly - she stepped in and sang the National Anthem at the Aug. 18 game. 

 

"I walked into work and was told the person singing the National Anthem had cancelled," she said. "Feeling overwhelmed with nerves and excitement, I offered to sing it!"

 

She said the experience reinforced the theory that stepping outside of one's comfort zone does result in personal growth. 

 

Garner said she was among a handful of girls who were nominated to run for homecoming queen on behalf of the Lambda Psi Sigma 

 

"Each of us had to give a speech in front of our chapter explaining why we wanted to be on court," she said. "Nervous and all, I went up there in front of 30-plus girls talking about how I think I would be a great representative for our sorority on homecoming court in the fall."

 

Garner was taken by complete surprise when she was elected as the sorority's representative. 

 

"Words can't even explain how happy, humbled and excited I was and still am to represent my sorority at this year's homecoming," she said.

 

Garner has taken on a lot of responsibility with regard to her role in WLU's homecoming.

 

"I'm in charge of coordinating and purchasing everything - all the food, items, choreography, etc.," she said.

 

It's a giant  project, but Garner said she has the support of her sorority sisters, friends and family.

 

"I even reached out to Kalie Nealis, WVU's Fall 2016 Homecoming Queen, to get advice," she said 

 

The series of activities on homecoming week include Serenades - during which each homecoming queen candidate performs a dance routine or skit; Tent Day - when each candidate pitches a tent on campus and distributes free sunglasses, koozies, T-shirts, food and other items and Town Clean-Up Day, when candidates literally clean up West Liberty. 

 

"Then Saturday is the big day," Garner said. "The parade will happen in the morning where I'll be on a float with my sisters. My dad is planning on driving his truck and all of us will throw candy out to the crowd. After the parade, there will be a tailgate for the football game. The candidates will be escorted on the field during halftime, and they will announce homecoming queen and king at that time. The dance will take place that night on campus."

 

Garner and Ortiz are collecting donations to ensure a successful campaign. Whether or not they are crowned WLU royalty, Garner said her higher education at the university has been a perfect experience. 

 

"West Liberty has so much to offer to students such as a great education, caring and qualified professors, an abundance of organizations for student involvement, etc.," she said. "In a way, West Liberty University just 'fits me like a glove.'"

 

After graduating this December, Garner plans on becoming a PR specialist for a for-profit organization. Eventually, she would like to work her way up to becoming an advertising manager. 

 

Her internship with the Black Bears influenced her to work in the sports industry, so she's currently looking into different job opportunities in that field. 

 

"I plan on moving to the Charlotte area, however I am definitely keeping my options open," she said. "I'm looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life."