THE DAILY COLLEGIAN Court members have long ties to State Series note: This is the first in a five-part series on the Homecoming Court pairings. By Alexa Agugliaro COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER From the moment they stepped onto campus as freshmen, Jared McKnight and Marina Johnson tried to give back as much as they could. The two are similar not only because they were both nominat ed as 2010 Homecoming Court members, but also because they both learned at a young age to thrive on a busy schedule and always commit to everything they become involved in. McKnight (senior-architecture and international studies) is actively involved with the Schreyer Honors College, Penn State's architecture department and the American Institute of Architecture Students. He said these were his steps to truly attaining the "full college experience." He has also been a Lion Ambassador since 2009 and said it's been the one Penn State organization that has had the most influence on him. "My favorite aspect of Penn State is its deep history and rich More than 200 participate in Homecoming 5K race By Vera Greene COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER Homecoming week is off and running literally after more than 200 Penn State students and community members took part in the second annual Homecoming 5K Race on Sunday afternoon. Beginning the day with "enter tainment hour," different student organizations such as RAM Squad performed from 11 a.m. to noon for a crowd gathered on the lawn next to the Intramural Building. Devon Saunders, a member of hip-hop dance troupe RAM Squad, said it is a humbling experience to be a part of Homecoming activi ties and to perform for the run ners. "We really feel a lot more involved with the whole process. It's a cool thing," Saunders (jun ior-architectural engineering) ~ . , iigible participants for the GMCollatjenlarobrit Whalers:liege students (from , any two- or tpur-year school), recent graduates Who f‘avo graduated no more than two years ago, and, current nursing school and gi xclude.s Chevrolet .VOW, 3rtaa,fldO• fitertfikdeildef leeS , andOtiMal equipment extra See de ,Ain for detalts , ,. S, and of General Motors, its divisiOr* •:- • S,..ertiblenis,arekilde model names, vehicle body designs and other mark, ahpea t ttil ,n this advertisement are the trademarks andror service marks - of General Motors, it , . .. . , hates or licensors. 02010 General MotOrS. • up, r-, ;cal tradition, and I'm proud to have the opportunity to enlighten future students," he said. It was during his time as a Lion Ambassador that he met his best friend Robin Beltrani. Beltrani (senior-finance) described her friend as reliable in any situation academically or socially. "From Lion Ambassadors alone, it is easy to see that he is a dedicated person in everything that he does," she said. Johnson (senior-English and secondary education) is president and founder of One Stage Revolution a theater group which Penn State officials named the most outstanding student organization of 2009-2010. She's also a Schreyer Honors College student and an active member of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship. Johnson spent her first two years of college at Penn State Altoona and said she was amazed the second she laid eyes on University Park "It's like I knew in that moment said. "And everyone is really enthusiastic." The energy didn't dwindle either. Right before the runners lined up, a "We are... Penn State" cheer was shouted and a crowd of about 200 responded. Charlie DeFrancesco said he doesn't know much about Homecoming and randomly found out about the 5K race but he's glad he did. "This is actually a pretty cool event," DeFrancesco (freshman biochemistry and molecular biolo gy) said. "A lot of people came out today, so I'm excited to run." Christen Morelli, a public rela tions captain for Homecoming, said everything came together perfectly. Not only did the day start ahead of schedule, Morelli (senior-public relations) said, but committee members couldn't have asked for better weather. F.EJ:V(.'tJI Discover your discount today at gmcollegediscount.com/PSU Homecoming 'lO LUCKILY THE GM COLLEGE DISCOUNT DOESN'T. In fact, it's the best college discount from any car company, and can save you hundreds even thousands on a new Chevrolet; Buick or GMC. If you're in college, a grad program or even if you're a recent grad, take advantage of this discount today and get a great deal on a new ride to call your own. Check it out: I I I 2010 Chevrolet Camaro L 5 (Discount Example) MSRP (sticker price on vehicle} Preferred Pricing Don't forget... you can also combine your discount with most current incentives _ j_. t J►•..~. .s'.. ,ems LOCAL that I wanted to stand for every thing this university stands for," she said. Both students said they have family ties to Penn State and have been coming to Homecoming for as long as they could remember. Johnson's father, Father Kenneth George Johnson, is an alumnus of the Penn State Blue Band. He said he's very excited to "share the field with his daughter" this year. McKnight also has his own his tory with the university his mother graduated Penn State in 1942 and his grandfather graduat ed in 1918. He said he vividly remembers his first time at Penn State Homecoming and how it was always his favorite time of year "People always talk about the pride that Penn State students have, and I was lucky enough to find that pride at a very early time," he said. McKnight's sister, Kristen McKnight, said that when it comes to Jared, she's never met anyone more determined or focused. She said that ever since they were three or four years old, he has known that he wanted to be an architect. "Jared is Penn State," Kristen McKnight (junior-elementary and kindergarten education) said. "He is everything the university Among the student groups that participated in the entertainment hour, the Penn State track team led stretches and a few members of the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon morale committee directed the runners in the 2010 line dance. Race-goers even got to be in the presence of royalty at Sunday's event when members of the 2010 Homecoming court received their sashes and were officially intro duced to the crowd. Nominee Jessica Pelliciotta (senior-political science) said the experience of being nominated has been surreal. "I'm still waiting to wake up," she said. Pelliciotta said being on Homecoming court and going to events like the 5K remind her of how much she's going to miss Penn State. S 23,855 00 S 23 330 24 GMC Tyler Sizemore/Collegan Jared McKnight (senior-architecture and international studies) and Marina Johnson (senior -English and secondary education) are both members of the 2010 Homecoming Court. strives to teach and he is destined For Marina Johnson, keeping a for great success in the future," balanced mind is all in a smile. she said Jared McKnight said the secret cranky, I'd be a mess all year, but to his success is that he has doing things with a smile really always believed in himself and his helps a lot," she said abilities, while always staying pos itive "I started crying the other day when I saw a tour in front of Old Main. I'm going to miss college so much." I started crying the other day when I saw a tour in front of Old Main," she said. "I'm going to miss college so much." Dan Cartwright, another mem ber of Homecoming court, said his favorite thing about being nomi nated has been the people he's met throughout the process. - I get to hang out with the coolest, most involved people ... I'd never usually get the chance," Cartwright (senior-energy, busi ness and finance) said. Caitlin Rush, Homecoming's GMC 2010 GMC Terrain SLE FWD Dlscount Example) MSRP (sticker price on vehicle) Preferred Pricing MONDAY, OCT. 4, 2010 I "If I were stressed out and To e-mail reporter: amas4s3@psu.edu public relations director, said she's happy with the 5K race event and though it was an early wake-up, she had a thermos full of coffee and was ready to go. "Today has been awesome this 5K is a growing event," Rush (junior-public relations) said. "And I'm just excited to see where it will go in the future." Homecoming events such as the East Halls Celebration and the For the Glory Talent Show will take place later this week To e-mail reporter: vhgsoo3@psu.edu 24 995 00 24,108.95 Jessica Pelliclotta senior-political science
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