Viars Crowned Lee’s 2023 Homecoming Queen

Lee University’s Miriam Viars was crowned this year’s Homecoming Queen during halftime of the men’s basketball game as part of Lee’s 2023 Homecoming celebrations.

“Being a member of the Homecoming Court and being selected as Queen were unexpected blessings this semester!” said Ms. Viars. “I love this campus and this community, and it was such a gift for everyone to be so supportive. Even before I was named Queen, I felt so loved by my community at Lee.” 

Ms. Viars, senior psychology and theatre double major, is the daughter of Tara and Michael Viars. From Auburn, Al., she is currently a member of Alpha Psi Omega and Psi Chi honor societies and has been involved in several Lee Theatre productions. She also works as a peer leader and as Student Engagement staff. Ms. Viars was escorted by Joey Martindale. 

Mr. Martindale is the son of Lisa and Scott Martindale. He is a graphic design major from Woodstock, Ga., and is involved with the student-run magazine Vindagua and the Greek service club Tau Kappa Omega. Mr. Martindale is also on staff at the Student Life and Student Engagement offices on campus. 

Also representing the senior class was Sarah Cagna, elementary education major with a minor in special education and daughter of Susan and Thomas Cagna. From Nashville, she is involved in Greek clubs Alpha Gamma Chi and Delta Zeta Tau, along with the student broadcast Lee Update and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She also serves in the children’s ministry at her church and was recently crowned this year’s Miss Parade of Favorites. Ms. Cagna was escorted by Austin Krell. 

Mr. Krell, a senior accounting major, is the son of Sarah and Steve Krell and hails from Franklin, Tn. He is involved in Greek clubs Tau Kappa Omega and Omega Alpha Phi and is also a member of Lee Singers, one of Lee’s travelling ensembles. 

Rebekah Franklin, a theological and professional studies major with minors in psychology and classics, was another representative of the senior class. A Cleveland native, she is the daughter of Karen and Jon Franklin. She is a student worker for the Office of Academic Events, a volunteer at North Cleveland Church of God, and a member of Theta Alpha Kappa honor society. Ms. Franklin was escorted by Dale Gross. 

Mr. Gross, the son of Danielle and Artie Gross, is a youth ministry major from Sweetwater, Tn. He is a School of Theology & Ministry Poeima Scholar and member of Theta Alpha Kappa. 

Rounding out the senior class representatives was Chloe Jones, a Cleveland native and daughter of Kim and Eddie Jones. A theological and professional studies major, she is a Poeima Scholar and member of Theta Alpha Kappa. She was also placed on the STM’s dean’s list and is active at North Cleveland Church of God. Ms. Jones was escorted by CJ Edwards. 

From Orange, N.J., Mr. Edwards is the son of Sherine Titus and majors in theological and professional studies with minors in music and philosophy. He is involved in the acapella ensemble Voices of Lee, Black Student Union, and Philosophy Club. Mr. Edwards also serves as an STM mentor. 

Representing the junior class were Keziah Sanchez and Millie Thompson. 

Ms. Sanchez is an intercultural studies with an emphasis in global transformation and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) double major from Murfreesboro, Tn. She was escorted by Jean Billy Robert, a business management major from Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. 

Ms. Thompson is a nursing major from Greenville, S.C. Seth Countess, a finance major from Shelbyville, Tn., escorted her. 

Darien De Jesus, a Cleveland native, represented the sophomore class. She was escorted by Caleb Mooneyham of Wilson, N.C.

Also representing the sophomore class was Macey Jones, another Cleveland native. Escorting her was Eli West of Alpharetta, Ga. 

The freshman class was represented by Chloe Hunter from West Palm Beach, Florida, and Emmie Seymour, who hails from Lancaster, Ohio. Hunter was escorted by Nolan Hager of Greenville, S.C., and Ms. Seymour was escorted by Hampton Batchelor of Wilson, N.C.