Two journalism students will represent the Downtown campus in the homecoming court for ASU’s homecoming week.
Seniors Danielle Chavez and Jessica Abercrombie have been heavily involved on the Downtown campus during their college careers, spreading ASU’s spirit, pride and tradition.
For three years, Chavez has been a Community Assistant in Taylor Place. She is a member of Barrett, the Honors College, and represents the college as an Honors Devil. She will graduate with a bachelor’s and master’s as part of Cronkite’s dual-degree program through the honors college. She is currently the marketing coordinator for Devils After Dark, and is focusing her thesis on a marketing campaign for the organization.
“I am really surprised about it all, but I am excited,” Chavez said of being named to homecoming court.
Abercrombie, a Phoenix native, is graduating in December with a bachelor’s in journalism with hopes of pursuing magazine writing.
She is especially excited to be nominated so close to her graduation date.
“It typifies my collegiate career,” Abercrombie said.
Abercrombie was vice president of USGD two years ago (then known as ASASUD) and was a member of the facilities-fee board. She has also served on the Spirit Committee, the Inter Club Council and the Cronkite Council. She is currently an editor in the Fashion Journalism Club.
Chavez and Abercrombie went through an extensive application process after being two of more than 100 nominated. Both went through two separate interviews before being chosen.
Jessica Halvorson, Programming and Activities Board adviser for homecoming, said the process is intensive so that the board can find the best Sun Devils at ASU.
Both Chavez and Abercrombie were pleasantly surprised they were picked to be in the homecoming court and as finalists for homecoming royalty.
“I almost thought it was a joke,” Chavez said.
She and Abercrombie have both been involved in ASU homecoming in other ways and are excited to be part of the court this year. Chavez missed homecoming week last year because she was sick.
“We just got our sashes last night, and I’m literally going to sleep in mine every night for the whole week,” Abercrombie said.
Halverson said ASU’s intercampus connectedness is “what makes ASU special and unique.”
Chavez and Abercrombie are the first representatives for the Downtown campus on the new homecoming court, which touts equal representation from all four campuses.
“I like being that representative that saw the Downtown campus grow,” Chavez said.
Since moving to the Downtown campus in 2009, Chavez has seen an increase in people using the Metro light rail and the blossoming of Civic Space Park.
“I like to think I have been involved in a little bit of everything down here,” she said.
Abercrombie has represented the Downtown campus in a different capacity, but she feels this opportunity is a new way to embody the Downtown ASU community.
Abercrombie said she loves the homecoming parade because it represents the community that is ASU.
Chavez enjoys building floats for the parade because everyone can participate.
“Seeing people out there until four in the morning, it’s really exciting,” she said.
“There truly is a place for everyone at ASU,” Chavez said. “You never have to feel like you are alone here.”
Both students have already had their pan-campus interviews for homecoming royalty.
On Oct. 26 at the Lantern Walk, students will find out if Chavez or Abercrombie will be crowned.
Contact the reporter at sophia.mayberry@asu.edu.
