Introducing the 2023 Homecoming Court

Oklahoma Christian University has announced its 2023 Homecoming King and Queen nominations.  

The Talon spoke with each nominee to discuss their nominations and opinions on homecoming. 

Grant Dunham

Major: Exercise Science/Pre-Physical Therapy

Hometown: Kechi, Kansas 

What do you think it means to be homecoming royalty? 

“It’s an honor. To me, it means I have been successful in making people feel like they have a place on this campus. I have had experiences in both high school and other areas of my life where I felt like I wasn’t wanted, and I want to make sure nobody feels that way here. It’s surreal to know people have felt that mission in a positive way.” 

How do you think homecoming affects students? 

“Being a president of one of the Social Service Clubs on campus shows me the club side of it. I think it’s tremendously beneficial for students to have the opportunity to interact with alumni who were in similar situations to them back in their own day. Additionally, nurturing the alumni’s relationship to campus is beneficial to all students because an involved alumni base allows for more opportunities and more connections post-graduation.”

Asiah Powers 

Major: Biology/Pre-Med

Hometown: Houston, Texas

What do you think the big picture of homecoming is? 

 “Homecoming is an opportunity to reflect, honor and celebrate the impact of Oklahoma Christian in the lives of present and past students. It gives alumni a moment to reflect and remember how attending this school influenced their lives. It also allows current students to celebrate being a part of this community and what it’s provided us.”

What would being homecoming royalty mean to you? 

“Being on the homecoming court is a huge honor to be considered by the senior class to represent them. Winning homecoming queen would be an even greater honor to represent the whole student body and the University in this homecoming celebration. I think all the women on the court are so worthy of being crowned queen and would represent us all so well.”

Devon Chen

Major: Biology 

Hometown: McAlester, Oklahoma

To you, what significance does homecoming hold?

“Homecoming allows alumni to come back to Oklahoma Christian. The alumni breakfast offers a great opportunity for me to network and build relationships with people in the community.”

How does it feel to be chosen as this year’s homecoming king nominee? 

“It completely took me by surprise;I was shocked when I was nominated. To be honest, I wasn’t paying too much attention to homecoming, let alone knowing my name was on the ballot until I had some friends come up and tell me they had voted for me. At first, I thought they were messing with me, until I finally checked my email and saw that I had, in fact, been nominated.”

Cayden Abrams

Major: Education

Hometown: Durant, Oklahoma

What is your favorite part of homecoming? 

“My favorite part of homecoming is that the entire school comes together for one week. Clubs, organizations, sports teams and everyone else get to work hard to put together something to showcase their place at Oklahoma Christian. This is the time where alumni get to visit and feel at home again. We are all working towards the same goal of creating something to be proud of and making memories that will last. Not only that, but I get a sense of joy thinking about how much I will enjoy visiting Oklahoma Christian again once I am an alum. I cannot wait to relive the memories of my college days and how much fun I had when I was here.”

What would being royalty mean to you? 

“Honestly, royalty was not something ever on my radar — until I was told I was on the court. I feel honored to even be nominated. I think this will be something I will look back at and smile on for sure. However, it is nothing compared to the memories I have been making while working with my club these past few weeks. I am blessed to be here and to even be on the court. I love my club, my friends and my university.”

Jeb Klafter 

Major: Bible

Hometown: Hawley, Texas

What was your reaction to being nominated for homecoming King? 

“I was really surprised. I actually got a text from someone congratulating me, and I was really confused. Then I checked my email (which I am very bad at) and saw I had been nominated. It’s a great honor, and I’m happy just to be up there.”

What is something you’ll never forget about Homecoming? 

“My favorite Homecoming memories will always be the relationships and builds I’ve been a part of with Chi. We built a big building and like a 30 foot tall crane my sophomore year and that one sticks out. It was an awesome feeling seeing it raised into the air. So much time and effort went into it, and I’ll always remember the great conversations we had around that build, pomping in the freezing cold.”

Alyssa Williamson

Major: Communications

Hometown: Altus, Oklahoma

What do you think of this year’s homecoming theme? 

“I love the overall theme because it allows us to take time to appreciate those who have paved the way before us.”

What would it mean to you if you won the Homecoming Queen title?  

“Honestly, I’m still on cloud nine to have been chosen to be in the top four! It would be an honor to represent my senior class and honor the OC legacy as homecoming queen.”

Josh Knox

Major: Accounting/Finance 

Hometown: Dallas, Texas 

How does it feel to be a part of the homecoming court? 

“I’m really excited to be a part of homecoming this year. I’m honored the student body has nominated me to be their king. It’s a cool feeling to be recognized by my peers.”

What do you think the significance of this year’s theme is? 

“I think the significance in this year’s theme is to look back at how far we’ve come as a school and as a society in general. It’s important to learn from our mistakes, and as we do that, we continue to grow.”

Cally Lytal

Major: Mechanical Engineering 

Hometown: Canyon, Texas 

What does homecoming royalty mean to you?

“It’s an honor to be nominated. It has given me the opportunity to reflect on my time spent at Oklahoma Christian. I am feeling very loved and very blessed and am thanking God for every moment.”

How do you feel this year’s theme has carried over into your personal life?

“The overall theme is Walk of Fame. I have no desire to be famous, but Jesus is famous (and so humble), and I do have a desire to walk with him. 50 years from now, I want to be able to look back on my life, my time in college and my walk with God and be proud. I’m praying the class of 1973 will feel the same way.”