Royalty Court—Queen Candidates

Paige Kazak is a senior from Hudson, Wisconsin. She is majoring in Elementary Education receiving her bachelor’s degree in the spring, as well as a minor in art. She plans to pursue her master’s degree the following year and have her own first grade classroom in the future. Paige is also a fourth year member of the University of Minnesota Spirit Squad cheering on the gophers at football games and representing the school in the national competition down in Orlando, Florida where they recently received second place. She also spends time waitressing at Townball Tavern in Target Field. In her free time Paige also loves to paint, knit, read, run, spend time with her family, and rock her Super Nintendo. She is very excited for Homecoming 2013 and can’t wait for what’s to come!

Kirsten Pagel is a #UMNproud senior majoring in Agriculture and Food Business Management. She grew up on a hobby chicken farm just outside of Fulda, MN – a small town in the southwest corner of the state. Kirsten spends a lot of her time perfecting her 90 degree chair step with the Pride of Minnesota Marching Band in which she is a trumpet player. If you have any questions about making a perfect bowl of popcorn, what movies Sandra Bullock has been in lately, or if you want to hear a good Sarah Palin impersonation – Kirsten is your gal.

Reed Mosimann is a junior and grew up in Edina, MN. She stayed in the state to enjoy the four seasons and rock a Goldy Gopher tee. She is studying marketing and entrepreneurial management with dreams of pursuing a career in the wellness industry. Reed is passionate about inspiring others to find their healthy potential and loves a good heart-to-heart conversation. Whenever she is not teaching group fitness classes at the Rec Center, serving as the VP of Public Relations on Panhellenic Council, or studying, she enjoys going for runs, reading magazines, and eating celery with peanut butter. Jumping into large piles of leaves and jamming to Coldplay also top the list of favorite pastime. Reed looks forward to studying abroad in Brazil this upcoming winter break and cannot wait for all the excitement of Homecoming!

Betsy Hendrick is a senior from Lake Nebagamon, WI. She is majoring in Early Childhood Education and minoring in Child Psychology. She spends her time outside of class working at the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration and serving as president for both her sorority Gamma Phi Beta and Order of Omega-Greek honor society. Minneapolis has been a welcoming second home for Betsy, who grew up in a town of one thousand. She enjoys exploring the city’s many bike trails, farmers markets, and outdoor concerts. Betsy loves to travel and this summer she studied culturally inclusive childcare in Denmark and Turkey.

Hallie Tietz is from the small town of New Prague, MN. She is a senior nursing student with hopes of becoming a flight nurse. Hallie has been a Welcome Week Leader, Admissions Ambassador, and member of Colleges Against Cancer at the University of Minnesota. She is a member of Air Force ROTC and serves as a senior rep on the Nursing College Board. Hallie has traveled to Honduras and Ireland with School of Nursing classmates and faculty. When she is not in clinical or class she enjoys losing her voice at Saturday football games, jogging across the Stone Arch Bridge, and hanging out with her friends and sister who is a sophomore at the U! Hallie is pumped for the festivities of Homecoming, GO GOPHERS!

Royalty Court—King Candidates

Tanner Fuchs is a senior at the University of Minnesota majoring in Psychology and minoring in Neuroscience and Management. Tanner works at Sally's Saloon and Eatery, for the Minnesota Twins and in a Research Lab. He is a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and enjoys spending time with his brothers. Tanner is originally from Farmington, MN and appreciates being able to visit his family often. He is an outgoing individual and loves meeting new people! Tanner feels blessed to have this opportunity and is excited to represent the University of Minnesota on the 2013 Homecoming Royalty Court.

Erich Berg is a senior from Onalaska, WI majoring in Physiology. Erich is honored to join the 2013 Homecoming Royalty and would like to thank his parents for their support; he sees them as role models in his life, in addition to Goldy Gopher. As an avid fan of Gopher athletics, last year Erich proposed the idea of a student ticket package for Men's Basketball, Football, and Hockey. Erich enjoys spending time with friends from an a’cappella group he co-founded and uses his free time to volunteer with children through a local hospital. Erich's greatest ambition is set on enrolling in the U of M Medical School after graduation.

Brian Johnson is a senior studying Strategic Communication at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. When he isn't interning with the Academic Health Center, Brian stays busy as the Marketing Captain for the U of M improvisational comedy club, MinnProv. Brian has also been involved with Public Relations Student Society of America, and assisted with communication efforts for different events and organizations including 2011-2012's 60K Day fundraiser and the Golden 5k sponsored by the U of M Habitat for Humanity. In the future, while pursuing a career in public relations, he would like to continue building upon his improvisational and stand-up comedy skills. Originally from Duluth, MN, Brian also enjoys sailing, downhill skiing, playing the drums, and keeping up with friends and family.

Justin Schlitz grew up in Prior Lake, MN before coming to the University of Minnesota. Here at the U, he has competed on a national level with the club rowing team and has been involved with a number of other student organizations including Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, Residential Housing Association, Diversity Ethics Peace, and the University Honors Program. Two of his most memorable experiences so far were starting the student group "Gingers And Friends" during his freshman year, and working at The Minnesota Daily during his sophomore and junior years. Outside of the university, Justin has taken on multiple internships, and enjoys helping out as a coach for his high school nordic ski team. Justin Schlitz is honored to be a member of the 2013 Homecoming Court, and hopes to become the university's next Homecoming King!

Joey McFarren hails from the great city of Chicago, IL. Joey will be a senior double majoring in Neuroscience and Genetics. Ideally, he hopes to get into the field of cosmetic dentistry and eventually open his own practice. Joey is a proud member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and currently works for the Department of Recreational Sports at the University of Minnesota. He enjoys spending time on the water, boating, fishing and just relaxing. Joey is incredibly excited for the fall and is looking forward to spending Homecoming week with the best students at the best University!