Four years ago yesterday Patrick Sweeney was crowned Homecoming King at his high school. Last night, he was crowned Homecoming King at Eastern.

“He won Homecoming King in high school exactly four years ago today,” said Sweeney’s mom, Margaret Sweeney.

“I am completely overwhelmed and so excited,” said Sweeney, a senior English education major and a member of Delta Tau Delta.

He said he believes “the people who represent Eastern and this campus are all amazing, and I am incredibly proud to be a part of it all.”

The 2006 Homecoming Coronation took place at 7 p.m., yesterday, in Lantz Arena and started the week off with a roar – literally.

The theme was Happy Days, and classic music and vintage scenery welcomed hundreds of attendees as they entered. Admission was $2 and all proceeds were given to charity.

As Student Body President Sean Anderson welcomed everyone, he explained how EIU Homecoming week “is one filled with tradition.” After his speech, the crowd responded with massive applause and cheering.

During the introduction of Senior King and Queen (candidates chosen from Charleston’s Rehab Health Care Center), the audience could not help but express its admiration in unison by sighing “awww” as they were introduced.

Elmo Olinger was pronounced Senior King and said he was “very happy to be (there).” Olinger attended Eastern for two years and is now a retired farmer. He and “(his) wife, Rose, raised one daughter and three sons.”

He enjoys bingo, van rides, going out to eat and entertainment.

The Senior Queen title was accepted by Edna Mandrell who was born in Decatur and attended Millikin College. Mandrell explained that “My husband (Cecil) and I . raised one son who had three sons, and now I have my first granddaughter.”

Her hobbies are shopping, going out to eat, van rides, parties and entertainment.

Mandrell and Olinger were applauded and given gifts from the Homecoming Committee Members in appreciation for attending the ceremony.

Next came the introduction of the fourteen Prince and Princess nominees. Everyone had an escort and as they walked up to the stage, interesting information about each was announced.

Nina Dziedzinskyj was awarded Homecoming Princess and Paul Sanders was honored with Homecoming Prince. Both flashed the audience large smiles as Dziedzinskyj received her tiara and Sanders accepted his sash.

Last to be announced were the King and Queen Candidates. Again 14 contestants were introduced to the audience with some fascinating facts about each.

The audience roared and jumped to its feet as Sweeney and Shannon Harper were announced as EIU’s 2006 Homecoming King and Queen. After taking numerous photos with friends and family both were still dazed with the announcement.

Sweeney will be involved in all of the Greek Week activities and is anticipating being in the parade on Saturday morning.

Eastern’s Homecoming Queen, Shannon Harper, a senior communications disorder sciences major, said she was, “so excited and completely shocked. I didn’t even think I had a chance.” Harper had a smile on her face stretching from ear to ear. “I love Eastern and to represent it is truly exciting and amazing!”

Andrea Thomas, Homecoming Coordination co-chair and a senior family and consumer sciences major said: “This is the first event of Homecoming each year. People are always very excited and it is usually this packed.”

Patrick Sweeney, a senior secondary education major, and Shannon Harper, a senior communication disorders major, were named Homecoming Queen and King Monday evening in Lantz Arena. (Carrie Hollis/The Daily Eastern News)

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