FeaturedFebruary 15, 2025

Alfaro, Flute Crowned Homecoming King and Queen

Written By: Rachel Putman

The University of Arkansas – Fort Smith crowned Anthony Alfaro and Ashlynn Flute as the 2025 Homecoming King and Queen during the "Saved by the Bell Tower" Homecoming festivities on Saturday, February 15.

Alfaro, a senior business administration major with concentrations in international management and digital marketing, represented the Saved By The Gong team, a coalition of the Filipino Student Association, Hmong Student Association, Japan Club, K-pop Dance and Appreciation Club, and Vietnamese Student Association. A native of Fort Smith, Alfaro is the son of Jose Alfaro.

Flute, a senior dental hygiene major, represented Delta Gamma - Eta Omicron. Originally from Cookson, Oklahoma, she is the daughter of Jeff and Mary Flute.

The announcement of Alfaro and Flute as Homecoming King and Queen highlighted the conclusion of a spirited week of activities at UAFS. Chancellor Dr. Terisa Riley and her husband, Dr. Ricardo Maestas, presented the newly crowned royalty with their crowns, sashes, a scepter, and a bouquet of flowers during the Homecoming ceremony.

Charlie Gillespie, 7, son of Samantha and Tony Gillespie, and Hattie Smith, 6, daughter of Jasmine and Phillip Smith, helped carry the crowns.

Students who also qualified for the 2025 Homecoming King Court were:

• Johnathen "John" Perdomo, a junior media communication major with a concentration in media production and writing, representing Sigma Nu. Perdomo is from Fort Smith, Arkansas, and the son of Rene and Nancy Perdomo.
• Aidan Nobles, a senior media communication major with a concentration in media production and writing, representing Kappa Sigma. Nobles is from Hackett, Arkansas, and the son of Jacob and Margie Nobles.
• Chris Dunn, a junior organizational leadership major, representing Pi Kappa Phi. Dunn is from Fort Smith, Arkansas, and the son of Sandy Harlen and Stephen Dunn.

Students who also qualified for the 2025 Homecoming Queen Court were:

• Adison Hutchins, a senior organizational leadership major, representing Gamma Phi Beta. Hutchins is from Fort Smith, Arkansas, and the daughter of Shaun Hutchins and Rachel Clark.
• Claudia Simen, a freshman biology major with a concentration in biomedical professionals, representing the French Appreciation Club. Simen is from Paris, France, and the daughter of Leonnel and Stella Kouemo.
• Alyssa Voradeth, a junior business administration major with a concentration in international management and digital marketing, representing Saved By The Gong (a coalition of the Filipino Student Association, Hmong Student Association, Japan Club, K-pop Dance and Appreciation Club, and Vietnamese Student Association). Voradeth is from Fort Smith, Arkansas, and the daughter of Pathoummy Voradeth.
• Anna Capps, a junior social work major, representing Alpha Omicron Pi. Capps is from Star City, Arkansas, and the daughter of Chuck and Christy Capps.

In addition to Homecoming King and Queen, awards were presented to top performing registered student organizations, who participated in competitions including a window-painting competition, dance-off, and food drive fundraiser. 

Overall winners for the week were Gamma Phi Beta and Sigma Nu, who earned first place and $300; Delta Gamma and Kappa Sigma, who took second place and $200; and Saved By The Gong, who placed third and won $100.

Category winners included:

Window Painting Display Competition

• First place: Campus Activities Board.
• Second place: Delta Gamma and Kappa Sigma.
• Third place: Student Government Association.

Office Decoration Competition

• First place and Traveling Trophy: Gamma Phi Beta and Sigma Nu with Financial Aid.
• Second place: Kappa Alpha Order and Alpha Omicron Pi with Human Resources.
• Third place: Baha’i Club with World Languages.

Megaphone Display Competition

• First place: Gamma Phi Beta and Sigma Nu.
• Second place: AIGA UAFS Student Group for Design.
• Third place: Delta Gamma and Kappa Sigma.

Dancing with the Lions

• First place: Gamma Phi Beta and Sigma Nu.
• Second place: Saved By The Gong.
• Third place: Delta Gamma and Kappa Sigma.

Donation Drive

The donation drive raised over 1,900 items of non-perishable food and hygiene products for the Dave Stevens Lion Pride Food Pantry and the Fort Smith community.

• First place: Gamma Phi Beta and Sigma Nu.
• Second place: Saved By The Gong.
• Third place: Delta Gamma and Kappa Sigma.

Tailgate Competition

• First place and Tailgate Trophy: Gamma Phi Beta and Sigma Nu.
• Second place: Saved By The Gong.
• Third place: Delta Gamma and Kappa Sigma.