Gathering in the McAfee Gymnasium Monday, students waited in anticipation as the 2013 Homecoming King and Queen were crowned.

An evening filled with chanting and cheers ended as David Groves and Shavon Francis were crowned as the new Homecoming royalty.

Groves, a senior business management major, won the king’s crown while Francis, a junior accounting major, won the queen’s crown.

“I’m excited, I’m proud, and I’m ready to go out and show my school spirit during the week,” Francis said, with her new crown on her head.

However, the other contestants that did not make this year were proud to give it their all in the coronation ceremony.

Austin Tofte, Elizabeth Vanneste and Troy LaPorte all reflected on their experience during the coronation.

Tofte, a senior biology major, said he decided to get involved in Homecoming in order to see how the coordination process works.

He represented his fraternity Lamda Chi Alpha.

“I was hoping if I won I’ve become somewhat of a prominent face in the EIU community,” Tofte said. “I would feel like a lot of people would know who I am, and it would be an honor to be crowned king.”

Vanneste, a senior health studies major was representing the Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority.

“I just really hoped I could be a good representation of Eastern, for the community and of my sorority for Eastern,” she said.

With little preparations, Vammeste said she managed to create her campaign in less than a week.

She created a Facebook page and asked her family and friends to like it, and she also reminded them when to vote by showing them pictures, as well as thanking them for their support.

LaPorte, a senior accounting major, said he enjoyed this experience and stepped up for his house at the last minute because the original contestant for his house dropped out, so LaPorte stepped in instead.

He said homecoming is a great time and atmosphere in the Eastern community.

“I’d figure, I’m the president of my fraternity I’ve got to step up so I just did it, and I feel like I’m a well-known person on this campus. I’m very sociable and I felt like I had a good chance at it,” he said.

LaPorte also said he represented his house Phi Kappa Alpha the best way he could and he said it was a great learning experience for him.

“It makes me feel proud.”

He said he had a positive outlook on the outcome looking back on it he said he will probably have a good laugh and be it will be a great memory to have for his senior year and representing his house.

Larry Ankenbrand, a kinesiology professor, was crowned as the faculty king.

The prince and princess include Darius Francis, a junior public relations major, and Melanie Kaderabac a sophomore elementary education major.

Francis said he was working with Shavon throughout his campaign process making signs and he said he felt prepared throughout his campaign.

The king and queen will be residing over the rest of Homecoming Week.

Stacey Catterson can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].