WT Student Leaders Elected Homecoming Queen, King

Copy by Chip Chandler, 806-651-2124, cchandler@wtamu.edu

CANYON, Texas — A future orthodontist and architectural engineer were crowned West Texas A&M University Homecoming Queen and King at halftime of the victorious Buffalo football game Oct. 24.

Karyme Martinez, a senior biology major from Seminole, was named queen, and Kevin Martinez, a junior mechanical engineering major from Allen, was crowned king. Both students, who are not related, represented the Student Government Association.

Homecoming royalty was announced at the end of halftime of WT’s impressive 69-14 win over Western New Mexico State University in Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium.

Queen finalists also included Kennadi Hanlin, a senior agribusiness and economics major from Littlefield, representing Fraternity/Sorority Life; and Molly Babcock, a senior agricultural media and communication major from Groom, representing Students Assisting in Good Endeavors, or SAGE.

King finalists also included Boone Begert, a senior agriculture major from Allison, representing Fraternity/Sorority Life; and Kooper Cox, a senior agricultural media and communication major from Canyon, representing SAGE.

The Homecoming court was presented flowers provided by the WT Horticulture Club.

Queen nominees also included Elena Hart-Deleon, a senior digital communication and media major from Amarillo, representing The Prairie News; Samantha Jordan, a junior civil engineering major from Anna, representing F1RSTGEN; Ava Olivas, a senior biology major from Seminole, representing Catholic Student Center; Katie Massey, a junior sports and exercise science major from Amarillo, representing the Engineering Collective; Elizabeth Rankin, a senior agriculture major from El Dorado Hills, California, representing Sigma Alpha; Madie Ray, a senior digital communication and media major from Claude, representing KWTS 91.1 FM; and Ribbin Saisasong, a senior marketing major from Amarillo, representing WT Cheer.

King nominees also included Nethan Dagani, a junior engineering major from Canyon, representing Catholic Student Center; Brandon Loyola, a junior general studies major from Colorado City, representing WT Cheer; Anthony Lucero, a senior digital communication and media major from Lubbock, representing The Prairie News; Kaden Martinez, a senior electrical engineering major from Amarillo, representing the Engineering Collective; Hunter Sparling, a junior digital communication and media major from McLean, representing KWTS 91.1 FM; and Kadyn Tinajero, a junior marketing major from Pampa, representing F1RSTGEN.

Student organizations nominate candidates to represent them on the court. Nominees began campaigning Oct. 7, with the student body vote taking place Oct. 20 and 21. Finalists were announced Oct. 23 at Pigskin Revue, the annual Homecoming pep rally.

The Catholic Student Association won the small float category, with The Darlings of West Texas in second and F1RSTGEN in third. Chi Omega and Kappa Alpha won the large float category, followed by SAGE in second place and Sigma Alpha and Sigma Nu in third.

People’s Choice winners were SAGE for student organization, Human Resources / Student Employment for WT department, and Canyon Fire Department for community.

Audience members in person and watching on TV or via streaming could vote for the people’s choice award via QR code.

Homecoming 2026 celebrations also included a celebration of 2026 Distinguished Alumni Dr. Kelly Beierschmitt, president and general manager of PanTeXas Deterrence, and Dr. Linda Cornette Young, senior fellow at the National Institute for Statistical Sciences.

WT Athletics also held its Hall of Champions induction ceremony, honoring Legacy Award recipients Linda and Wayne Woodward and inductees Lauren Beville (volleyball), Norma Cunigan (track & field), Ashley Hardin (softball), Duane Joubert (football), Shanna McBroom (softball), Khiry Robinson (football), Abraham Seaneke (track & field) and Norman White (football).

About West Texas A&M University

West Texas A&M University is a Regional Research University in Canyon, Texas, on a 342-acre residential campus, as well as the Harrington Academic Hall WTAMU Amarillo Center in downtown Amarillo. Established in 1910, the University has been part of The Texas A&M University System since 1990. WT boasts an enrollment of about 9,000 and offers multiple options for students to graduate and succeed: 65 undergraduate degree programs, including eight associate degrees; and 41 graduate degrees, including an integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree, a specialist degree and three doctoral degrees. WT recently earned a Carnegie Foundation classification as a Research College and University. The Buffaloes are a member of the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference; WT offers 16 men’s and women’s athletics programs.

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