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Apurva Balaji

Year in School: 3rd

Studies: Aerospace Engineering & Mechanics

Meet Apurva: Apurva (she/her/hers) is from Eden Prairie, Minnesota and has lived in Minnesota her entire life. On campus, Apurva is the Sponsorship and Outreach Chair for the Indian Student Association and is involved in the Honors Program. She has been a part of WISE (Women in Science and Engineering), SWE, Jazba and Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honors Society). Through the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center, she studied abroad in Scotland fall semester sophomore year and is thankful to have learnt so much and have had amazing experiences through that opportunity. Apurva loves traveling, trying new activities and food, hiking, biking and music (she also plays viola!). Apurva is very excited and honored to be a part of Homecoming Court 2023 and is grateful to be able to have this experience. Go Gophers!

Weston Schwecke

Year in School: 3rd

Studies: Animal Science & Wildlife Care and Handling

Meet Weston: Weston (he/him/his) grew up on a farm outside the small town of Gibbon, Minnesota. He is involved on the Saint Paul campus by being an active member in the Gopher Dairy Club and serves as the Scholarship chair for the Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity. Weston loves to educate others about wildlife and spent part of his summer interning at Wild Sun Rescue in Cabuya, Costa Rica. He also enjoys spending time with friends, sitting around bonfires, and being out on the lake. Weston is very excited to be on the 2023 Homecoming Court and would like to thank everyone he’s met at college so far for all the great memories.

Siya Sakhardande

Year in School: 3rd

Studies: English, History, Psychology, and Leadership

Meet Siya: Siya (she/her/hers) grew up in Frisco, Texas, but is happy to have chosen the U as her new home! She is involved in the Undergraduate Student Government and serves as the Vice President of the University Honors Student Association. Since coming to the U, Siya has been a strong advocate for the student body. She has worked to raise the minimum wage for student workers on campus to $15 and has advocated for student basic needs at the Minnesota State Capitol and in Washington, D.C. Outside of school, you can catch her at Gopher Sports events with her friends or reading a mystery novel on the Lawn. Siya is honored to serve on the 2023 Homecoming Court, and is thankful for the community on campus that has made that possible!

Alex Robinson

Year in School: 4th

Studies: Marketing and Strategic Communications & Business Analytics (Honors)

Meet Alex: Alex (he/him/his) grew up in Rosemount, Minnesota where he has lived his whole life. Alex is the president of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, the general manager at Backpack Communications Agency, team manager for the Spirit Squad, and a brand ambassador for the Bookstore. Alex also spent two years singing with Urban Sound A Cappella. He has worked as a marketing intern at ServeMinnesota and as a digital marketing intern at Ovative Group. He loves listening to pop punk and musical theater. Alex has so much pride for the University of Minnesota and is very honored to be on the 2023 Homecoming Court. He is thankful for all of the connections and friends who have made his college experience as great as it is.

Joshua Ichen

Year in School: 4th

Studies: Industrial and Systems Engineering

Meet Joshua: Joshua (he/him/his) utilizes his studies to apply optimization strategies to both write programs that improve on-campus safety and increase the efficiency of medical device production. Always curious, Josh has utilized every opportunity to learn more as he has also participated in extensive research and holds a seat on the Student Senate advocating for productive change. Outside of school, Josh is extremely grateful to be involved in communities that have fostered growth for him over the years such as Fraternal Greek life and Club Tennis (and every intramural sport available). In recognizing his fleeting time left at school, Josh is determined to help inspire the next generation of promising Gophers to celebrate the beautifully diverse college experience. Josh has cherished every connection he has made here, and is beyond honored to represent the University of Minnesota on the 2023 Homecoming Court!

Marie Milanowski

Year in School: 4th

Studies: Data Science & Spanish Studies

Meet Marie: Marie (she/her/hers) grew up in Eagle River, Wisconsin, but felt the pull to the big city for college. When she’s not in class, you can find Marie at Siebert Field where she’s a baseball student manager, working at Goldy’s Gameroom or spending time with her CSE mentees. During summer 2023, Marie will be interning for the Milwaukee Brewers as a Baseball Systems Intern. In her free time, you can find Marie at Gopher games, listening to music, spending time with her friends, or hanging in her hammock on campus. She is honored to have been selected for the 2023 Homecoming Court and is grateful for all of the experiences and opportunities she has had at Minnesota.

Michael Olson

Year in School: 4th

Studies: Youth Studies & Leadership

Meet Michael: Michael (he/him/his) was adopted from Bogota, Colombia, but grew up in Moose Lake, Minnesota. Michael was inspired to attend the University of Minnesota thanks to his late grandpa’s love for the campus. After coming to campus in the fall of 2020, Michael found a home in FarmHouse Fraternity on the Saint Paul Campus. He also loves being a scout team player for the Women’s Basketball Team here at the U. Michael has always been outspoken in his activism for those dealing with mental health battles, as well as BIPOC and those in the LGBTQIA+ community. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, playing basketball, and singing or listening to music. Michael is incredibly honored to be on this year’s Homecoming Court and can’t thank everyone in his life enough for supporting him all these years.

Leo Goldblatt

Year in School: 4th

Studies: Sociology & Psychology

Meet Leo: Leo (he/him/his) plans to obtain a Master of Social Work after undergrad and become a therapist. Hailing from Northern Virginia, Leo was recruited to the University to be on its Swim & Dive team, but has since then become the President of the CLA Student Board as well as a Director of Analytics for the CLA 1001/1002 courses. He is also a member of the Community Engaged Scholars Program and has worked as a Mental Health Counselor at a group home for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness for the past two years. Leo’s leadership experience and commitment to community mental health demonstrate his passion in making the University more inclusive for everyone. Some personal interests of his include fostering cats, watching horror movies, and hiking. Leo is honored to be a part of this year’s Homecoming Court!

Aicha Keita

Year in School: 4th

Studies: Health Services Management & Public Health

Meet Aicha: In the future, Aicha (she/her/hers) plans to utilize her degree to improve healthcare delivery and mitigate health disparities. Born in the states, Aicha has had the opportunity to live abroad in Ghana before moving back and settling in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. On campus she enjoys hanging out with her friends, building relationships with others, and being involved in student organizations. Next year, she is going to be the upcoming treasurer for the African Student Association. Some of Aicha’s interests include traveling, eating sushi, and getting boba in Dinkytown. Aicha is thrilled and honored to be a part of the 2023 Homecoming court royalty. She can not wait to be immersed in the experience and represent the University of Minnesota.

Hannah Ramshak

Year in School: 4th

Studies: Mechanical Engineering & Spanish Studies

Meet Hannah: Hannah (she/her/hers) grew up in Hortonville, Wisconsin, a small town in eastern Wisconsin. Hannah is currently the President of Engineers Without Borders UMN and works for Gopher Hospitality. She has also been a Welcome Week Leader, mentor to CSE 1st year students, and a lifeguard at the Aquatics Center. She’s spent her college summers working as a carhop waitress and doing internships with Medtronic and Polaris. Hannah loves spending time outdoors, camping, rock climbing, and skiing, and will never say no to an ice cream run. She has loved being a part of the University of Minnesota community and is excited to be able to meet more people as a member of the court.

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