By Lillie Tretter, News Editor
On Saturday, October 10, the crowd at Cliff Harris Stadium at Ouachita Baptist University was so silent you could hear a pen drop as they waited to hear who won the title of this year’s Homecoming Queen. After patiently waiting, the crowd erupted into a loud cheer as Senior Silvi Cardona’s name was called, and a crown was placed gently on her head.
Cardona was one of 20 girls to represent a club or organization on campus. As a vital part of the International Club, she was elected to represent them, and to her surprise, she won Queen. First runner-up was Dezra Estrada Corona, second runner-up was Blaise Batson, third runner-up was Mia Lockwood, and fourth runner-up was Kinsey Gregory.
“I was shocked. I was not expecting it at all,” said Cardona. “But I am very, very excited to be able to represent the International Club.” Cardona described an overwhelming sense of gratitude to represent a community that has poured so much into her.
In addition to being an active member of the International Club, Cardona is also in the Women of Tri Chi, Campus Ministries, a tutor for the Academic Success Center, serves in the Feed Arkadelphia program and is a tutor for the Elrod Center, where she tutors young children in all core subjects. In addition to her extracurricular activities, Cardona also tutors all Psychology classes as well as Football Study Hall.
A native of Colombia, a 6-hour plane ride away, Cardona has had to adapt to a new life in the U.S. away from her beloved family, something that Ouachita’s community made a smoother transition. “In a sense, the International Club is my home away from home,” said Cardona. “The club is a place where there are so many different cultures, but we’re all living the same experience being so far away from home.” The International Club has had a significant impact on her experience at Ouachita, something that she will never forget and forever be thankful for.
Cardona was escorted by her boyfriend’s father, Nelson Ortiz, who stepped in for her father as he couldn’t be there to escort her. “He has been a true role model for me. I consider him like a second father,” said Cardona. Not only has her time at Ouachita allowed Cardona to find her home away from home and her second family, but it has allowed her to feel God’s presence and experience many blessings.
Being named Homecoming Queen has shown Cardona new ways in which he faithfully shows up through everything. “In a way, God is showing me that he has been with me these past four years. God gave me the opportunity to be here and do this,” said Cardona. “I never expected this, and I feel so blessed.”
