WVU crowns Homecoming royalty

Steve Orlowski and Danielle Vincent were crowned the 2012 homecoming king and queen during halftime of the West Virginia University’s football game against Baylor Saturday.

Vincent is an industrial engineering student from Bridgeport, W.Va.

Raised in West Virginia, Vincent said she feels she is a true representation of what it means to be a Mountaineer.

"I feel that I embody the qualities that represent a true Mountaineer student, and that I am a representative of this University," she said. "I’ve grown up being a Mountaineer, and I knew I always would be a student here."

Vincent is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, where she has served as member at large, president and registrar.

She has been an active member of the Morgantown community through volunteer work at Christian Help, an internship at Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. and participated in the Society of Women Engineers and the Mountaineer Maniacs.

Inspired by her mother, Vincent said after graduating from WVU she plans to stay in the state to maintain a close connection with family.

"After graduation, I plan on staying in West Virginia. I have grown up here, and I am very family-oriented, so I would like to stay close to my family," she said. "My mom is my biggest inspiration. She is the strongest and most loving person I know."

Orlowski is a sport management major from Leonia, N.J. He currently serves as the assistant director of the Mountaineer Maniacs.

He has been active in the University community by previously serving on the athletic council in the Student Government Association, working as a re-founding father of the Sigma Nu fraternity, and he is an active member of St. John’s Parish.

"Winning homecoming king is a true honor. I am a New Jersey native but a Mountaineer for life," Orlowski said. "I am a huge fan of all WVU athletics and love the Mountaineers."

After graduation, Orlowski plans to continue his time as a Mountaineer by attending graduate school at WVU.

"I chose to attend WVU after seeing the "Flying WV" (logo) all over campus. The school spirit and passion for the University doesn’t compare to any other school."

Other queen candidates included: Andria Alvarez from Bridgeport, W.Va. Brooke Andrews from Morgantown; Ali Jeney from Clarksburg, W.Va.; and Breanne Zackery from Maidsville, W.Va.

Other king candidates included: Ryan Cox from Morgantown; B. Jay Hatfield from Madison, W.Va; Joey West from Wheeling, W.Va; and Rick Wright from Morgantown.