A leap year homecoming night at Newman brought together roaring student crowds, alumni from the ages and student-athletes to celebrate the end of Heritage Month.
Sister Tarcisia Roths, ASC, said she loves coming back for as many Newman basketball games as she can, “but especially for homecoming.
“It’s that special time when everybody renews their love for Newman, and over the years my love has only grown,” Roths said. “I hope to see more alums here at the games, it’s always fun to see more of you coming back and attending.”
The women’s basketball team started strong against the Griffons of Missouri Western State University on Feb. 29, with noteworthy baskets from sophomores Monica Redondo, Valeriya Lioukina and senior Amiya Josey. The Jets were eventually defeated by the MIAA regular season champions by a final score of 105-38.
In the men’s game, the Jets jumped put to an “electric start” with sophomore Sam Somerhalder scoring five of Newman’s first nine points. Another sharpshooter early in the game was sophomore Jacob Joe, whose three-pointer gave Newman one of its biggest leads of the game. Western would take control of the game in the second half to win 86-68.
Both teams will conclude the 2023-24 season in Edmond, Oklahoma, on Saturday, March 2, when the Jets take on the University of Central Oklahoma.
The royals receive their crowns
One of the most renowned traditions of Newman homecoming night is the crowning of the student king and queen, which took place at the halftime of the men’s game.
For Dean of Students Andi Giesen, this homecoming night was especially sentimental. Her first day on the job at Newman was one year ago on homecoming night when she served as the emcee for the 2023 crowning.
“In that year, I have developed an even deeper appreciation for the diversity of students that come to Newman University,” Giesen said. “I’m inspired by the students we work with every day, and proud our Student Life team can help give them a safe, secure, emotionally happy and joyful experience here at Newman.”
This year, Student Life received more than 30 nominations for homecoming royalty.
“I’m really proud of our team and Student Life,” Giesen said. “We’re trying to reach as many students as possible this year, and the number of students who were nominated to be on the homecoming court showed us that the team is doing effective things to reach students, to bring them together and connect them to campus.”
The 2024 kingly court consisted of seniors Asher Khokhar, Joshua Dessenberger, Chase Wiebe, Felix Tellez Ramirez and Luca Penteado. The female candidates for queen were Martina Lolli, Marie Brunet, Elise Helfrich, Amiya Josey and Hope Strickbine.
Following a dramatic drum roll from the bleachers, Director of Student Activities Joshua Prilliman announced the homecoming king and queen: Wiebe and Helfrich.
Both were humbled “even to be nominated,” but it was a heart-stopping moment when their names were called out as the winners.
“I was very surprised because I know there were a lot of great candidates,” Helfrich said. “I feel honored because it means I must be some sort of role model to the student body. I’m humbled.”
For Wiebe, “I just want to know who nominated me,” he said with a smile. “I don’t even know how I got on the court, but I’m very honored to win this. It’s a pretty good feeling.”
Putting the ‘home’ in ‘homecoming’
Helfrich and Wiebe’s Newman experiences were memorable from the very beginning. Newman University provided a home for community building, a rich education and personal growth as leaders.
“When I first visited, I loved that it was a Catholic campus where I could go to Mass every day and receive the sacraments,” Helfrich said. “Campus Ministry was a big part of it, and also I’m going into the healthcare field so I knew that the biology program would prepare me well.”
Helfrich’s orthodontist served as an inspiring role model to her, and she was drawn to his holistic approach to caring for patients. She not only received this person-first education from Newman professors like Michael Bradley, Ryan Huschka, Jenna Persons and Chaplain Father Adam Grelinger, but also lived it out in her work as a residence assistant and member of the Student Government Association.
Helfrich’s ultimate goal as a future dentist is to infuse her faith into her profession, serving as “the hands and feet of Christ to everybody.” She is excited to pursue this future and has received early acceptance to the University of Missouri – Kansas City.
Wiebe is also pursuing a health care career, which was one reason he decided “Newman is the place for me.”
“My high school chemistry teacher really made a big impact on me, and the professors at Newman added to my love for chemistry,” he said. “Being on the basketball team made it feel even more like a family.”
His goal is to heal those who are sick, help as many individuals as he can and “be generous with the blessings I’ve been given,” he said.
Wiebe will always remember his years at Newman fondly thanks to the transformative professors, coaches and friends he’s formed as an athlete on the men’s basketball team.
“Newman really is a family,” Wiebe said. “Hopefully I’ve made lifelong friends and relationships I can carry on for the rest of my life.”
Experience life at Newman
Join the campus community that empowers students to shape their future and their impact on the world around them.
