It’s Homecoming week here at Georgia Southern University and we’ve got all the latest news and excitement for everyone! Seriously, this Homecoming will definitely be LIT and if you’re not down for the shenanigans then we’d advise you to stay home. Although this week shall be filled with fun and festivities for students, alumni and friends, there’s something going on that’s a tad more important. I’m talking about our homecoming court.
Today is the last day to cast your vote for who you want to be our next Duchess, Duke, King and Queen. But before you cast your vote, you might want to know a little about who you’re voting for. We took the time to get to know all of the candidates and these are the things they want you to know about them as well!

 Auburn Bell

Year: Senior
Major: Political Science/Spanish
Organization: Chi Omega
What is your favorite thing about GS?
By far, my favorite thing about Georgia Southern is the professors! I have never had such a cool connection with my professors until I got to Georgia Southern. I transferred here a few years ago from the University of Illinois at Chicago and the professors there were detached and didn’t build relationships with their students. At Georgia Southern, especially within the Department of Political Science and International Studies, the professors are there for you academically, professionally, and personally. It makes being an Eagle easy when your professors are proud of their university and students, too!
What does True Blue mean to you?
Being True Blue means being interested in everything that happens on this amazing campus. From our sports traditions, to our clubs and organizations, to academics and beyond, being True Blue means being all about Georgia Southern and bleeding blue and gold. Being True Blue means aiming to be the best Georgia Southern Eagle there is all the time and everywhere you go. Eagles carry their True Blue spirit when they study abroad, travel for game days, and when they graduate into the real world. Bleed blue, bleed gold, being True Blue is the way to go!
How has GS impacted your life?
Georgia Southern has given me so many relationships that I never thought I’d have. The bonds that I’ve made with my peers during home games, in the classroom, and while traveling abroad can never been replaced. I would never have been able to do the amazing things I’ve done without Georgia Southern. It’s a one-of-a-kind university! I wouldn’t trade being an Eagle for the world!
What is a fun fact about you?
I was born in Colon, Panama to a Panamanian mom and an American army dad. My uncles and cousin worked on the expansion of the Panama Canal!

Sydney-Nicole Isaac

Year: Junior
Major: Entrepreneurship
Organization: Women Of Worth
What is your favorite thing about GS?
Georgia Southern is like a little community. I love the fact that I can walk down the pedestrian and see recognizable faces around the same time on certain days. It brings a sense of comfort.
What does True Blue mean to you?
To me, True Blue is GSU pride. It’s remembering that no matter what makes us all different, we are all connected by the fact that we are eagles at heart and we all #hailsouthern.
How has GS impacted your life?
Throughout my time at Georgia Southern I’ve had the opportunity, not only through organizations I’ve been involved in but also through daily interactions, of meeting people who I can honestly say have impacted my life and who will forever be close friends of mine.
What is a fun fact about you?
I am a proud cadet of Georgia Southern ROTC Eagle Battalion and a future finance second lieutenant of our United States Army.

 Molly Weimer

Year: Senior
Major: Marketing with a minor in Finance
Organization: Phi Mu
What is your favorite thing about Georgia Southern?
It’s hard to just pick one! If I had to pick it would have to be all of the traditions that this universities holds. I think it is so cool that even though our campus is growing the traditions haven’t changed. One of my favorites would have to be the lighting ceremony of Sweetheart Circle during the holidays as I love Christmas! Also I love going to the planetarium and watching the laser show, as my friends and I have done it every year.
What does True Blue mean to you?
True Blue to me could be described as the personality of Georgia Southern as a whole. I believe it is the loyalty we share with our fellow Eagles and with other universities in times of need.
How has GS impacted your life?
If you were to tell me my freshman year of college I would be running for homecoming queen I would have not believed you. This school has given me so many leadership experiences and opportunities for growth that I would not have received at any other school. The school has also provided me with lifelong friends and an amazing education. I am so thankful for everything this university has given me and can’t believe my four years are almost up.
What is a fun fact about you?
The true blue spirit runs deep in my roots! My mom, dad, and great great grandma all attended Georgia Southern before me!

 Andrew Lyons

Year: Senior
Major: Logistics & Intermodal Transportation
Organization: Episcopal Campus Ministry
What is your favorite thing about Georgia Southern?
My favorite thing about Georgia Southern is the fact that it is rich with tradition. From watching Freedom fly around Paulson on gamedays to seeing Sweetheart covered with white light during the month of December.
What does True Blue mean to you?
To be True Blue, one must represent, support and love Georgia Southern through it all. I saw the True Blue spirit on the faces of all the fans and players down in Mobile this past December as we earned our first bowl win and when hundreds of us stood together inside Sweetheart Circle to honor our fallen nursing students. True Blue is much more than hollering “Go Eagles” to a fellow fan on Saturdays, it’s a way of life.
How has GS impacted your life?
Georgia Southern has turned me into a leader. I’ve been able to hold multiple leadership positions during my time on campus. It started with my presidency with Episcopal Campus Ministry and now I’m also a Fitness Supervisor at the RAC. My professors, boss and classmates have been there for me pushing me to succeed. I am forever grateful.
What is a fun fact about you?
My first job was a Fitness Specialist at the RAC. I got the job after making a connection with my boss months before she hired me. We got to know each other after I hit her parked car in the RAC parking lot, destroying the side of the vehicle. I never would’ve thought my first car accident would turn into one of the greatest blessings of my entire life!

 Natalie Morris

Year: Senior
Major: Public Relations
Minor: Business and Spanish
Organization: Kappa Kappa Gamma
What is your favorite thing about Georgia Southern?
My favorite thing about Georgia Southern is the strong community that we have. From walking down the sidewalk and seeing people you know, to making friends in every class, to forming close relationships with professors are just a few of my favorite things about Georgia Southern!
What does true blue mean to you?
To me, true blue means having a sincere passion and love for Georgia Southern University. It means wanting to positively represent the university in every aspect! True blue goes beyond athletics, but also includes all the different and unique organizations that make Georgia Southern University what it is!
How has Georgia Southern impacted your life?
Georgia Southern has impacted me in more ways than I ever thought possible! Since my first year, I have joined 12 different organizations and currently have an active role in all of them with an executive board position in 4 of them! These organizations have introduced me to lifelong friendships, leadership opportunities, and made me into the person that I am today!
What is a fun fact about me?
One of my favorite things to do is travel! Over my lifetime, I’ve traveled to 18 different countries! This is something I plan to continue after graduation!

 Abbey LaMee

Year: Senior
Major: Recreational Therapy
Organization: Alpha Delta Pi
What is your favorite thing about GS?
My favorite thing about Georgia Southern has absolutely been the opportunities it has provided me to grow, learn, and become the best version of myself. From being a SOAR Leader and SOAR Returner to volunteering on three Alternative Break Trips to finding the field that I’m passionate about, Georgia Southern has helped me to develop in more ways than I could have ever anticipated. I also absolutely love our faculty and staff. I have had the amazing opportunity to build close relationships with my professors and supervisors and to truly see just how student focused our university is.
What does True Blue mean to you?
Being True Blue, to me, means unwavering support and love of Georgia Southern in good times and bad. I believe our university has faced more tragedy than many other schools typically do, but seeing our students, faculty, staff, and administration band together shows what a supportive and beautiful community we have here. I also believe that being True Blue is respecting and loving your fellow Eagles regardless of any differences you may have. Lastly, I believe that being True Blue is constantly pushing yourself to be the absolute best representation of yourself and Georgia Southern.
How has GS impacted your life?
There truly aren’t enough words for me to express how much Georgia Southern has positively impacted my life. In my past 3 (almost 4, wow) years here, I have found my passion in Recreational Therapy and serving others, developed leadership skills, formed lifelong friendships, and made some of the absolute greatest memories I could have asked for. I have had successes and failures, great times and difficult ones, and I can honestly say I have had the most amazing college experience because of this university. However, I know the impact of my experience at Georgia Southern doesn’t stop at graduation. Because of our university, I feel extremely prepared and excited for the next chapter of my life and to see where it will take me next.
What is a fun fact about you?
I absolutely LOVE Abraham Lincoln; I’ve had the biggest crush on him since the second grade. AND my absolute life goal is to go on Jeopardy, I’m completely obsessed with that show (even though I’m not very good at it).

 Caroline Eaker

Year: Senior
Major: Journalism
Organization: Zeta Tau Alpha
What is your favorite thing about GS?
My favorite thing about Georgia Southern is the tradition of the school has and the unity this campus creates between so many different people.
What does True Blue mean to you?
Being True Blue to me means to love this school and what it stands for and taking advantage of the many opportunities that GS offers us. I think being True Blue is when you are passionate about Georgia Southern and being proud to be a student of the best university in the world!
How has GS impacted your life?
Georgia Southern has impacted my life in so many ways. It gave me the chance to follow my dreams of being a college cheerleader but most importantly it gave me a chance to grow. Without Georgia Southern and without the teachers and students here I would of never realized what I wanted to do with my life. I was able to grow into the person I am today by being involved and taking everything that the school has to offer me.
What is a fun fact about you?
Fun fact about me is that I was an intern on Capitol Hill in Washington DC for a Congressman! Also, I have a fear of bananas….

 Juliana Hafner

Year: Senior
Major: History, minor in Political Science
Organization: Alpha Omicron Pi
What is your favorite thing about GS?
I would have to say my favorite thing about Georgia Southern is the atmosphere of our community. From even before my time as a student here, when I came here to tour, it just felt at home. I wasn’t sure exactly why, but I just immediately knew I wanted to go here. Once becoming a student here, I definitely figured that out soon enough. The community has a love for Georgia Southern that I feel like you really can’t find anywhere else, and even as I am approaching graduation next month, I can still say confidently that I feel the same way even three years later!
What does True Blue mean to you?
True Blue means having school spirit towards everything Georgia Southern. I feel like most people mainly associate the phrase “True Blue” with our University’s athletics, but I see it as much more than just that! Being passionate about everything at Georgia Southern, whether that be through our traditions, sports, or organizations, being proud of our school on all levels is something that really shows you are True Blue!
How has GS impacted your life?
My time at Georgia Southern has been so special. Honestly, Georgia Southern has impacted me from even before I started college. The way that Georgia Southern made me feel like more than just a number stood out to me from the beginning. I was given opportunities that I wouldn’t have gotten with other schools, and that was one of the main reasons why I chose to come here. Throughout my years at Georgia Southern, those opportunities lead to even more, and as a senior, I am now involved in 4 offices throughout our campus, on top of working on campus. All of the opportunities I have been involved with have given me so many fantastic experiences and friendships, helped me improve so many skills that will help me in my future career, and overall have made me into who I am today!
What is a fun fact about you?
I went to Ronald Reagan’s funeral in Washington DC!

Eddison J. Smith III

Year: Senior
Major: Marketing Major, Graphic Design Minor
Organization: Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Inc.
What is your favorite thing about GS?
I love how Georgia Southern is very inviting and inclusive to all of its students, faculty and staff. From the time I came into Georgia Southern as a freshman i have alway felt connected to the student body through our Southern traditions.
What does True Blue mean to you?
True Blue means genuine pride in Georgia Southern. It means that you fully support and live by the Traditions that are established here at Georgia Southern through your actions and involvement in school activities, by upholding the VALUES of Georgia Southern University.
How has GS impacted your life?
Georgia Southern has developed me into a confident leader and role model for my peers. With the many opportunities I have been able to immense myself into I learned new lessons and new things about myself.
What is a fun fact about you?
I designed one of the original the Georgia Southern Geofilters “Eagle Nation – Georgia Southern, est. 1906”

 Jasmyn Cornell

Year: Senior
Major: Theater and Journalism / Minor in Music
Organization: Women of Worth
What is your favorite thing about GS?
Georgia Southern has several leadership opportunities that assist students with developing various skills, including time management and leadership skills. By seizing these opportunities on campus, students are able to encourage incoming freshmen to get involved and empower other students to achieve their goals.
What does True Blue mean to you?
True Blue means being dedicated to exceeding your goals in the classroom and improving the Georgia Southern and Statesboro communities. Additionally, a True Blue student represents Georgia Southern in a positive manner while attending the school and after he/she graduates. The student obtains knowledge about the university, attends Georgia Southern events, and promotes on-campus opportunities.
How has GS impacted your life?
Georgia Southern has molded me into a hard-working, ambitious student. While attending Georgia Southern, I have encountered mentors, discovered new passions and served in positions that helped me develop the professional skills necessary to establish a career in Journalism and Acting. By working with diverse groups of students, I have acquired knowledge about different cultures. Being a Georgia Southern cheerleader enabled me to experience various Georgia Southern traditions. Cheering “Georgia… Southern..” and “Whose House? Our House!” with the students for two years was an unforgettable experience. Freedom’s flight still gives me chills to this day. I hope to pass down the lessons learned at Georgia Southern to incoming students.
What is a fun fact about you?
In 2014 and 2015, I received the opportunity to be a background actress in Oprah Winfrey’s Selma and Adam Sandler’s The Do Over. I worked alongside several aspiring actors in the upcoming film, The Lake House. I enjoy performing and hope to land a major acting role in the future.

 Jonathan Chiza

Year: 4th Year
Major: Information Systems emphasis in Business Intelligence
Organization: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
What is your favorite thing about GS?
When the saying “Large Scale, Small Feel” is really true. I love that the school is large in numbers but I can’t tell due to how close of a community I am apart of.
What does True Blue mean to you?
True Blue means being true to yourself and belief. It means to stand for something and never giving up.
How has GS impacted your life?
GSU really gave me a second, in high school I never got the chance to get involved in anything due to having behavioral issues. So, for me coming to college was more about starting over and making it count. I wanted to prove all those wrong that didn’t think I would make nothing of my life wrong.
What is a fun fact about you?
I speak four languages (English, Swahili, Lingala, & French).