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Northwest Missouri State University


Student Spotlight

April 16, 2012

Ryan Smith crowned Tower King, Valerie Neal is Queen

Valerie Neal and Ryan Smith

Valerie Neal and Ryan Smith

Ryan Smith, a junior broadcasting and sports psychology major from Thousand Oaks, Calif., was selected as the 2012 Tower King, and Valerie Neal, a senior psychology and sociology major from Cameron, was selected as the Queen by students at Northwest Missouri State University.

The King and Queen were announced during a ceremony Friday, April 13, at the Memorial Bell Tower, capping Northwest Week activities.   

Smith is a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, Interfraternity Council, Northwest Hockey Club, Order of Omega and the X-106.7 sports staff. Neal is a member of Sigma Kappa and the Homecoming executive board. Both were sponsored by Sigma Kappa.

The Tower King and Queen are selected annually from a group of Northwest students who excel academically and exhibit high involvement at Northwest and in the Maryville community. Individuals are nominated by campus organizations, and the King and Queen are chosen by the student body.

Information about the rest of this year's candidate appears below.

King candidates

John Belfonte

John Belfonte
Junior accounting major from Gladstone

Campus activities: Phi Sigma Kappa, Greek Week co-chair, Homecoming co-chair, Delta Mu Delta, Order of Omega

Sponsor: Phi Mu
Garrett Gassman

Garrett Gassman
Senior business management and marketing major from Papillion, Neb.

Campus activities: Hudson-Perrin assistant complex director, Hudson-Perrin Hall Council, Residence Hall Association, Hudson-Perrin desk manager, National Residence Hall Honorary, Hudson Hall Council, desk assistant at The Station and Tower Suites

Sponsor: National Residence Hall Honorary
James Snodgrass

James Snodgrass
Junior business management and marketing major from Lee's Summit

Campus activities: Sigma Phi Epsilon, Interfraternity Council, Northwest Navigators, Delta Mu Delta, Alpha Chi

Sponsor: Interfraternity Council
Tyrell Wheeler

Tyrell Wheeler
Junior private/public accounting major from Independence

Campus activities: Alliance of Black Collegians, Minority Men's Organization

Sponsor: Alliance of Black Collegians

 

Queen candidates

Felicia Howe

Felicia Howe
Senior elementary education major from Omaha, Neb.

Campus activities: Alpha Sigma Alpha, St. Jude Up 'til Dawn, PanHellenic executive council, Greek Week executive board, Order of Omega, Mortar Board, Big Brothers Big Sisters

Sponsor: St. Jude Up 'til Dawn
Tasha King

Tasha King
Sophomore animal science (pre-vet) major from Bronson, Iowa

Campus activities: Delta Tau Alpha, Agriculture Ambassador, Honors Student Association, Sigma Alpha, Northwest Dance Company

Sponsor: Sigma Alpha
Giavanna Macaluso

Giavanna Macaluso
Senior elementary education major with a minor in early childhood education from Lee’s Summit

Campus activities: Phi Mu, Order of Omega, Mortar Board, Alumni House ’Cat Caller, Student Ambassador

Sponsor: Phi Sigma Kappa
Kasha Tafoya

Kasha Tafoya
Senior elementary education and Spanish major from Omaha, Neb.

Campus activities: Study abroad, Alternative Spring Break, Order of Omega, Office of Advisement assistant, Alpha Sigma Alpha, St. Jude Up 'til Dawn, Northwest Dance Company, Northwest Conversation Partner, Northwest Cat Crew, Alpha Mu Gamma

Sponsor: Alpha Sigma Alpha

For more information, please contact:

Mark Hornickel, Media Relations Specialist
mhorn@nwmissouri.edu | 660.562.1704 | Fax: 660.562.1900

Northwest Missouri State University
215 Administration Building | 800 University Drive | Maryville, MO 64468