Seniors Tessie Arambula and Tate Blanton were named Wichita State’s 2013 Homecoming Queen and King during the halftime of the men’s basketball game Saturday against Missouri State.

Arambula said the voting process was not easy for her. She recalled one day last week when she took her place next to her poster while watching friends vote for other candidates. She said it was more trying on the heart than one would guess.

Arambula values the friendship of Melissa Ford, a member of the Alpha Phi sorority, very much. Ford was also a candidate for Queen.

“Melissa has so much well deserved support from different parts of campus, incredible woman; [she] is instantly beloved by everyone she meets, including myself, and it [was] difficult not to take it personal even when you know that [wasn’t] her intention,” Arambula said.

“I commend the candidates that could take that, stand in the RSC, and continually take that small form of rejection,” Arambula said. She didn’t stand by her poster after that day.

Arambula said she underestimated the love at WSU.

“I had people I have not seen since high school tell me they voted for me every day when I ran into them on campus, even [in] a flower shop. Organizations that I have aided through the SGA funding process made announcements to their group to support me out of appreciation for the work I had done for them,” Arambula said.

“At the base of it all was probably the Greek community,” Arambula said, adding that the candidates felt the love from their sisters, as she did from her Gamma Phi Beta sisters, which made her smile.

One memory Arambula will take with her from this experience was in Charles Koch Arena.

She said, “A little girl said ‘You’re awesome, can I have a picture and autograph?’ and another little girl said, ‘Look, it’s the WSU princess!’ Can’t say many people have the same reaction when I walk around with my SGA treasurer nametag on.”

Arambula was given a sash, flowers, crown and a Tiffany’s necklace with a crown charm on it. While Homecoming King Tate Blanton was not given a crown, Blanton was awarded a sash and a Kenneth and Cole watch.

“It feels good, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t happy,” Blanton said.

“My favorite experience from Homecoming has to be the dinner with the basketball legends before the game on Saturday,” Blanton continued. “Homecoming Royalty was privileged with the opportunity to share a meal, and our experiences, with the basketball legends as well.

“It was a lot of fun and something not everyone gets to do. I believe the overarching experience will always be a memory.”

Blanton said he enjoyed getting to know the other candidates throughout the week, and although he will be graduating this year, he says he is excited for next year’s Homecoming.

“Thank you to those that supported Homecoming and the Alumni Association. It was great seeing school spirit,” he said.