Order in the Court: The Difference Between Methods of Honoring Seniors
Written by Lois Lesher
Royalty is earned in more ways than one for seniors at Hillsdale College. But what’s the difference between homecoming court, outstanding senior men and women, and president’s ball court? Why is it necessary to recognize seniors more than once a school year? Here is all you need to know about these special courts and how they are selected.
Homecoming Court
The football team is in tip-top shape, Greek houses and dorms scream spirited chants, and alumni tailgates flood the sports complex corner. The Saturday of homecoming week is one of the highlights of fall semester. What’s more, halftime at the football game includes a timeless tradition: the crowning of homecoming king and queen.
Student Fed runs the show for homecoming court nominations, and the process is pretty straightforward. Sororities and fraternities each elect a senior representative for their house, and the remainder of the spots on the court go to superstar independents elected by non-Greek members of the senior class. Once all of the nominees are slated, the entire student body votes in the union. Then the man and woman with the most popular votes dawn the sash and crown at the end of halftime.
Outstanding Senior Men and Women
Though this court may not get to parade down College Street, its members are recognized in equally impressive ways. Senior class officers oversee the election of this venerable group. Early in the spring semester, each senior gets to nominate three men and three women in their class to be recognized. The eight most frequently nominated students make up the court. Then staff and faculty take over, voting for their top choices after reviewing each nominee’s extracurricular activities, academic achievements, resumes, and response to the prompt, “What does Hillsdale mean to me?”
Still not impressed? This tradition is over forty years old, and those dubbed Outstanding Senior Man and Woman are asked to speak at parents’ weekend and the president’s commencement dinner. They’re kind of a big deal.
President’s Ball Court
It’s SAB’s time to shine. The Student Activities Board gets to recognize the members of this special court every February at its annual president’s ball. The unique feature of this court is that faculty nominate its members. Each prof gets to nominate up to five senior men and five senior women, and the top ten names make the court. Candidates are recognized as seniors that embody the following characteristics: academic excellence, involvement on campus, leadership abilities, and most importantly, upholding the high standard of honor expected of a Hillsdale student.
Sounds pretty fancy, right? It gets better. Each candidate has a half-hour interview with Mrs. Arnn, a member of the Board of Women Commissioners, and three faculty members to determine who is best fit for the crown. The president’s ball king and queen are then announced during the ball itself. Earlier in the evening, all court members get to attend a reception at Broadlawn with upper-level staff and administration.
So, hats off to all of the seniors who are recognized in unique but equally special ways. We’ll miss you!
Lois Lesher, ’17, is the social media assistant for the Student Activities Board.