Royalty

Bailey (she/her/hers) is a senior majoring in Psychology and minoring in Neuroscience and Family Social Science. She grew up in Southeastern Minnesota and has always loved the Twin Cities! Attending the University of Minnesota has been a dream come true for her. Bailey is the secretary for the CLA Student Board, a reviewer for the Minnesota Undergraduate Research and Academic Journal, and a Major Network mentor. She has also worked as a CLA peer advisor and CLA 1001/1002 section leader! In her free time, she likes to go to theme parks (She’s obsessed with roller coasters), explore the city, go hiking, and sit by the Stone Arch Bridge and watch all the cute dogs walk by. Bailey is so in love with our campus, our student body, and our University as a whole. She’s all about spreading Gopher pride and is so excited to be a part of the 2019 Homecoming Court!

Brett Herbers (he/him/his) is a senior studying Political Science and Social Studies Education, with a minor in Racial Justice in Urban Schooling. Brett grew up in Rochester, Minnesota, and found a second home in Minneapolis. Brett has participated in student government, worked as a CA, and is currently President of the Education Minnesota Student Chapter. He is heavily involved in the education community on and off campus, tutoring at a middle school, interning with Minnesota PTA, and participating in the DirecTrack to Teaching Program. Brett loves to help others, and is proud to be an advocate for social justice in the community. He loves sweaters, ice cream, and the TV show Survivor (not necessarily in that order.) Brett considers it an honor to be on the 2019 Homecoming Court, and thanks all of the people he’s met here for making his college experience unforgettable.

Chad (he/him/his) is a senior double majoring in Strategic Communications and Political Science, and minoring in a good time. Born and raised in St. Paul, Chad attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a hot sec, but quickly transferred back to the University of Minnesota because his Gopher pride was too much to contain. One of the most transformative experiences of Chad’s college career has been working in Orientation & Transition Experiences as an Orientation Leader and as a Parent Coordinator. On campus, Chad is a CLA Ambassador, Admissions Ambassador, and a member of everyone’s favorite acappella group, Urban Sound. Some of Chad’s favorite pastimes include running, coaching junior high baseball and staying politically active in the community. Chad is humbled to be representing the U on this year’s homecoming court, and if you see him on campus, give him a hug.

Gillian (she/her/hers) is a senior majoring in Kinesiology with a minor in Integrative Neuroscience and an Autism Spectrum Disorder certificate. She grew up in Fargo, North Dakota, a place that is near and dear to her heart, but fell in love with Minneapolis and the U after attending a Gopher swim camp as a fifth grader. On campus, she is an executive board member of the Panhellenic Council, volunteers with University of Minnesota Health, and works at the Recreation and Wellness Center. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the Twin Cities area, practicing yoga, and eating ice cream with her friends. She is so grateful for all of the people she has met and the memories she has made throughout her undergraduate experience so far, and she can’t wait to represent the University of Minnesota as a member of the 2019 Homecoming Court. Go Gophers!

Gretchen, with the green glasses (she/her/hers), is ecstatic to kick-start her senior year on the Homecoming Royalty Court! She is double majoring in Elementary and Special Education; double minoring in Teaching English as a Second Language and Chinese. She never gets tired of exploring the buildings on campus and seeing the skyline at sunset. During her time at the U, Gretchen has loved working backstage at Northrop Auditorium and as a CA. She is a volunteer at Theatre in the Round as well as a mentor in the Major Network Program and the Honors Mentor Program. Gretchen has worked in multiple schools throughout the Twin Cities learning from both teachers and students. She is driven to be a role model for her future students, current residents, and her peers. In her free time, Gretchen enjoys reading at Gold Medal Park, eating dessert, and trying new things.

Jasyanna (she/her/hers) is a first generation college student from Chaska, Minnesota. She is a Junior majoring in sports management with a career goal of becoming an agent for the NFL one day. Jasyanna has interned with Gopher Sports Properties for Gopher Game and now works as a student equipment manager for the Gophers football team. The U has been Jasyanna’s dream school since middle school; she wanted to go to a well known university right here in Minnesota. Jasyanna has served on the Black Student Union board as Social Events Chair and currently serves as the Homecoming and Spring Jam Chair for the National Panhellenic Council. Jasyanna is also a member of the Marvelous Mu Rho Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Jasyanna is truly honored to be a part of the 2019 Homecoming Royalty Court.

Lindsey Belisle (she/her/hers) is a neuroscience major in the College of Biological Sciences. She is involved in the Araque Lab on campus, the Outdoors Club, and you could probably catch her working at Surly Brewing Company on the weekends. She is also a member of the Twin Cities based gym, Alchemy. Lindsey is a first-generation student from the small town of North Branch, Minnesota. She chose to go to the University of Minnesota for the numerous scientific research opportunities. In her free time Lindsey likes to bike, rock climb, garden, do yoga, and read. The University has provided Lindsey with a level of knowledge, connections, and confidence that she could not have received anywhere else. She is extremely grateful for the people she has met so far and looks forward to continuing to make new connections and discovering unique opportunities here at the U.

McLaren Curphy (she/her/hers) is a senior studying Biochemistry. She is from Shoreview, MN and has bled maroon and gold ever since UMN Girls Engineering Math and Science Club in 5th grade. On campus, has been an officer for Minnesota Swim Club since 2017 and is serving as Vice President in 2019-2020. She has also been an officer for the Pre-Dental Club since 2018, and served as a Sophomore Guild Leader in 2017-2018. She has been an intern since 2017 at Children’s Dental Services, which provides accessible service to low-income children and pregnant women. Her super power is losing mechanical pencils. In her free time, she munches on popcorn and squash while doodling with crayola markers. Her favorite hobby is traveling, as of August, she will have been to 6 continents and 22 countries- and has only once been hospitalized for to travel-induced intestinal parasites. Yeet for UMN!

Mitchell (he/him/his) is a senior studying nursing. He grew up near Eyota, Minnesota. The University attracted Mitchell from a young age and once he was accepted, he never second guessed his decision. On campus, Mitchell is actively involved in his fraternity, Delta Tau Delta. He has served on the executive board in the past; and currently serves on the Honor Board. If Mitchell has extra time you can find him out running, rollerblading, or playing various sports on campus. Last fall, Mitchell completed the Twin Cities Marathon and plans to run another come this fall. Mitchell is currently employed at the Barn, so you will see him supporting the basketball team in the winter. Come gameday season, he can be found rowing the boat in his Gopheralls. Mitchell is looking forward to this electrifying new experience.

Natasha Sohni (she/her/hers) is a senior, graduating in May 2020, studying Political Science, Economics, and Public Health. She is from Rochester, MN, and plans on attending graduate school for Public and Global Health Policy! She is President of the College of Liberal Arts Student Board as well as Coalition for Progressive Change, and is conducting research at the Minnesota Population Center. She believes that she has made the most of her time here at the U of M and is grateful for the opportunities she has received within this vibrant community. You can catch her in the front row at every football game, making Spotify playlists (@natsohni), or writing blog posts. She loves people and is always open to having deep talks about love, vulnerability, and social issues over coffee with you! She is a proud Gopher, and hopes to spread this positivity to the rest of the student body.