Mary Vashkelis may have a new sweetest moment to share after being crowned Homecoming Queen after coronation on Wednesday night in Lantz Arena.

While people may know her as the Homecoming Queen, they may not know that Mary transferred to Eastern her sophomore year after attending Illinois State University during her freshman year.

The senior elementary education major from Lockport said she transferred to Eastern not only for the elementary education program, but also because her older sister went to Eastern and Mary followed in her footsteps by joining Sigma Kappa sorority.

“I’m honored that Sigma Kappa chose me to represent all of them and extremely honored to be the Eastern Homecoming Queen,” said Vashkelis.

Her parents and two sisters drove up to see her get crowned on Wednesday night. Her boyfriend, Paul, was also in attendance.

Mary said her favorite part of Homecoming Week is the parade. “Last year it was nice to see the Sigma Pis and Sigma Kappas float go by after all our hard work,” she said.

“But this year I will not be able to see it. It’s unfortunate I will not be able to be there because I am the maid of honor in my older sister’s wedding on Saturday,” said Vashkelis.

Vashkelis is currently the Vice President of Sigma Kappa and was also the Homecoming chair and assistant pledge educator. On Eastern’s campus she has worked at Special Olympics and is a member of Math Energy, Rho Lambda, and the National Society for Collegiate Scholars. Mary is also active in the Newman Catholic Center, where she is a Eucharistic minister.

“The more you do, the more fun you will have,” she said. “My biggest inspiration have been my parents who have been there for me and supported me through everything I have done.”

She smiled and said they are the two most wonderful people and explained how she looks up to them so much.

In her spare time, Mary likes to have girls’ nights and watch movies. She also has a pet rabbit named Palmer.

“I feel that because Eastern has done so much for me, I, in turn try to represent Eastern well and give as much as I can back.she said. I try to show other students that these are the best years of your life and you need to make the most of them.

Mary will be student teaching this spring in Joliet. I’d also like to go backpacking through Europe this summer and hopefully find a teaching job by home.

She said, I truly love this campus and I’m so sad to leave in December.