All Hail the King: Ole Miss Students Will Vote for First-Ever Homecoming King

By Tavia Moore
HottyToddy.com intern
tmoore4@go.olemiss.edu

For the first time in school history, two candidates are vying for the title of homecoming king at the University of Mississippi. This position was made possible by the Associated Student Body in a vote last year. 

Yazoo City native Carl Tart stands firmly behind his platform “Build a Culture of Love.” He believes that each student should find happiness, opportunity, maturity, and experience here at the university so he created the acronym “HOME.” Through joining various organizations and interacting with students, faculty, and staff, Tart is confident in his ability to transform Ole Miss.

Yazoo City native Carl Tart stands firmly behind his platform “Build a Culture of Love.” Photo via Tart’s campaign announcement.

“I want to set the precedent of how people should use their platforms and positions to serve our campus and the LOU community,” he said.

Tart recognizes the division and controversy that our campus has endured within the past few years. He aims to use his experience and university connections to help him in his effort to keep the university moving on a positive trajectory. 

“When ASB decided to add this position to the personality election roster, my entire vision changed for this campus,” he said. “This place has filled a very special hole in my heart—a hole that is now filled with friends, family, development and growth.”

His eagerness to become homecoming king stems from his love for the university, he said.

“I went from being an eager-on-overload freshman to a developed, well-rounded senior all with the help of the faculty, staff, and my support system I have built here at this campus,” he said. 

The Opposition

Tart’s opponent, Park Shull, said his journey at Ole Miss has been quite a unique one.

“I honestly was not excited about starting college here because I thought I wanted something different,” the Oxford native said. “I felt like I needed a new experience.”

Park Shull said as homecoming king he wants to leave a lasting impact and leave his print on the place he loves so much. Photo via Shull’s campaign announcement. 

Little did he know that choosing the University of Mississippi would change him in ways that even he could not begin to fathom.

“I got involved with student organizations and made new friends from all backgrounds and places in the world—from Venezuela to California to Michigan to Tupelo. I have truly tried to soak up all of Ole Miss that I can,” he said. 

Shull said he would be honored to be voted the first-ever homecoming king at the University of Mississippi.

“I want to leave a lasting impact and leave my print on the place I love so much,” he said.

Courtney Pearson can attest to how much love and admiration both candidates have for the university. As the first African American to be elected Homecoming Queen at Ole Miss in 2012, she would know best.

“I think it is interesting that Ole Miss is having a king on the court,” the former queen said. “I would definitely love to see more diversity in elections and campaigns in other ways other than adding a homecoming king.” 

She said the university’s first homecoming king should be an overall representation of what the university is and what it could potentially become.

“Holding that position comes with the responsibility of upholding the values of our institution long after you leave the university,” she said. 

Students can cast their votes through their MyOleMiss accounts Tuesday, Sept. 17. Votes are counted and reviewed by the Associated Student Body Election Commissioners.