Ava Blansfield is a Geography major with minors in Sustainability Leadership and Energy Business & Finance from Danville, PA. She serves as the Senior Program Coordinator for EcoReps, Penn State’s student sustainability ambassador program. In addition, Ava works in the Donald W. Hamer Maps and Geospatial Center within Pattee Library and contributes to undergraduate research. She is also an ambassador for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and a proud member of the Roar Zone, the greatest student section in college hockey. Her favorite Berkey Creamery flavor is Monkey Business. Ava’s older sister encouraged her to attend Penn State, and she is grateful she did. Becoming a Nittany Lion has allowed her to find an even bigger family in Happy Valley. Ava is honored to serve on the 2025 Homecoming Court as a reflection of her dedication, leadership, and positive spirit. She looks forward to celebrating Penn State pride at the Homecoming Parade.

Mackenzie Bronk is a fourth-year student majoring in Finance from Owings, Maryland. She is honored to serve as the Blue Sapphire, Penn State’s Feature Twirler, a position within the Penn State Blue Band where she represents the university with pride and passion both on and off the field. A four-time gold medalist and national champion baton twirler, Mackenzie has brought her love of performance to the Penn State community while also serving on the Blue Band officer board and as a member of the professional business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi. She enjoys combining her dedication to performance, leadership, academics, and service to the Penn State community. Becoming the Blue Sapphire has been a dream come true, and Penn State has provided her with extraordinary opportunities, lifelong friendships, and unforgettable experiences. Mackenzie is absolutely thrilled to be a member of the 2025 Homecoming Court and looks forward to celebrating Penn State pride during her final year.

Shelby Corbett is a fourth-year student studying Criminology, International Affairs, and Spanish, with a minor in Child Maltreatment and Advocacy Studies. She is from Bourbonnais, Illinois, a small town about an hour south of Chicago. Shelby chose Penn State because she wanted to see the world, and her time as a Nittany Lion has allowed her to do just that. She has explored countries including Mexico, Argentina, Curaçao, Puerto Rico, and Uruguay, experiences that have deepened her appreciation for different cultures and perspectives while enriching her studies in International Affairs and Spanish. Throughout her time at Penn State, Shelby has held numerous jobs and leadership positions, each of which has provided her with lasting friendships and helped her grow as a person. Currently, she serves in the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) as the Executive Director of the Office of Internal Inclusion and Support. Shelby is grateful for the opportunities and community she has found at Penn State and is honored to be a member of the 2025 Homecoming Court.

Michael Fowler is a fourth-year student majoring in Political Science, additionally pursuing dual minors in Media Studies and Politics & Public Policy. Originally from Sparta, New Jersey, Mike has leveraged his out-of-state student experience into a deep passion for advocacy and equitable access to all that Penn State has to offer.  Mike is the Chair of the University Park Student Fee Board (UPFB), which collaborates with various administrative units to ensure that Penn State’s resources are robust and easily accessible to all students. Additionally, Mike has served as the President of Lion Caucus, working with the Office of Government and Community Relations to represent Penn State throughout the government and advocate for increased funding to the University. He remains a general member of the Lion Caucus and an active member of the Penn State Lion Ambassadors. Over the past four years, Penn State has formed Mike into a stronger leader, friend, and person.

Tyler Word is a senior studying Advertising with minors in Sports Studies and African-American Studies, as well as a certification in Diversity Studies. He is a proud member of the Gamma Nu chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where he serves as both Secretary and Vice President. Tyler also works as the Lead Marketing Intern for Penn State Athletics.In addition to his current positions, he has been involved in organizations such as Blueprint, Eminence Modeling Troupe, Minorities in Sports, and the Division of Undergraduate Studies Leadership Council, each of which has helped shape his leadership, creativity, and commitment to community. His favorite Berkey Creamery flavor is Cookies and Cream, and he is most looking forward to the Homecoming Parade and connecting with alumni. Tyler is honored to represent Penn State on the 2025 Homecoming Court.

Kai Holden is a senior majoring in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations with a minor in Security Risk Analysis from Richmond, Virginia. As a Bunton-Waller Scholar and a Spring 2024 initiate of the Gamma Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Kai is deeply engaged in the Penn State community. He currently serves as President of the Gamma Nu Chapter and as President of WIREDIN, a multicultural, tech-focused student organization. In addition, Kai has contributed as a Resident Assistant for the past two years, fostering community and mentorship in East Halls.

Professionally, he worked as a Cybersecurity Intern this past summer and, while at Penn State, has also worked for the University’s IT Department and pursued AI research through the Human in Computing and Cognition Lab. Excited for the Homecoming Parade and the chance to celebrate tradition, Kai values the pride and unity Homecoming brings to the Penn State family, and sees it as an opportunity to give back to the community.

Marola Anes is a fourth-year Biology major with a minor in Child Maltreatment and Advocacy Studies. Born in Egypt and raised in Lancaster, PA, she has built her Penn State community as a Resident Assistant, founder and current vice president of the Coptic Orthodox Student Association, research assistant at the Schreier lab, and a member of several clubs on campus. She’s an office assistant at the Chaiken Center for Student Success, where she supports the free school supply initiative and is in the Tri-Alpha Honor Society. Beyond academics, she loves traveling and giving back to the communities that have shaped her. As an aspiring physician, she hopes to combine her passion for science with serving vulnerable and underserved communities globally. Marola gives all glory to God for the amazing opportunities and growth she has experienced at Penn State.

Noa Diggs is a senior majoring in Criminology with minors in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Social Justice in Education. Her Penn State journey has been defined by turning passion into action—whether it’s building community through cultural, musical, and social events as an Arts Engagement Assistant; helping launch a student organization to amplify student voices in the arts; or serving as a Community and Belonging Educator to ensure every student feels valued. Noa has been honored with the inaugural Rising Star Award from the WGSS Department and has cherished experiences such as teaching her first seminar class and helping bring Leon Thomas to campus for a sold-out performance at Eisenhower Auditorium, a powerful moment of representation in the arts at Penn State. She is grateful for the opportunities that have allowed her to grow, lead, and leave her mark, and she looks forward to carrying that legacy forward as a member of the 2025 Homecoming Court.

Rasha Elwakil is from Westchester, New York, and studies Geography. She is grateful to be a part of the Millennium Scholars Program, which made it possible for her to ensure that everyone feels like they belong here. She is currently the President of the University Park Undergraduate Association (undergraduate student government), after serving as Vice President and Chair of Justice and Equity. She also represents students on the Alumni Council Executive Council through UPUA. Beyond student government, Rasha is the Vice President of DEI for the Panhellenic Executive Council and was previously the DEI chair in Lion Ambassadors, as well as co-chaired Be Apart From the Start. She is involved with Earth and Mineral Sciences Ambassadors, Centre Documenters News Lab, Next-Gen Leadership Academy, Humanities Institute Fellowship, and the Presidential Leadership Academy. At the heart of everything, Rasha loves the Penn State Family.

Erik Bolang is a Political Science major on the Pre-Law track who has distinguished himself as both a dedicated student and campus leader. A member of the Penn State swimming team, he has earned Academic All-Big Ten Honors and ranks among the top ten in program history for the 200 fly. Beyond athletics, Erik serves as President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and as an Expert Guest on the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee Faculty Senate, where he works to amplify student-athlete voices and drive positive change. His involvement with the University Park Undergraduate Association—as Vice-Chair of Government and Community Relations, Athletic Liaison, and At-Large Representative—has further strengthened his passion for advocacy and community engagement. Committed to leaving Penn State better than he found it, Erik is honored to serve on the 2025 Homecoming Court and looks forward to celebrating the pride and tradition of Dear Old State.