The ceremony for WKU’s inaugural Conference USA homecoming is Saturday. 

The ceremony will take place at halftime of the WKU vs. UTEP football game in Smith Stadium on Saturday. WKU casted their votes for Homecoming Queen on Monday.

There are currently 24 candidates. Previous Homecoming Queen candidates have included Ann-Blair Thornton, who was named Miss Kentucky in 2011.

Candidates are selected differently depending on the type of organization they are representing, but common factors such as GPA and amount of service put into the organization are considered.

Many of the candidates expressed their excitement over being nominated.

Lexington senior Natalie Gilliam, representing Kappa Delta, Sigma Phi Epsilon and FarmHouse, said she was proud to be nominated.

“I’m so excited,” she said. “I’ve always thought it [being nominated]would be one of the greatest things to do in college.”

Throughout Homecoming week, the candidates will be spending a significant amount of time together at different events, including a banquet and interview and a visit to Chandler Assisted Living where they will spend time helping residents.

Campbellsville senior Ashyya Robinson, representing Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity, said she was looking forward to all the events the Homecoming Queen candidates will do.

“I think it’s going to be a good time for everyone to get to know each other outside of just posters hanging up,” she said.

For some Homecoming Queen candidates, this will be their last year on the Hill as a student.

Smiths Grove senior Meghan McGuirk, representing Alpha Gamma Delta and Sigma Alpha Epsilon, said she is a little bit nervous for Homecoming week, though she’s focusing on other things, such as her last year in college.

“I’m just kind of taking it all in,” she said. “As a senior and everything, this year has been bittersweet and I feel like my last Homecoming is going to be even more so.”