By: Mason Bender ‘28, staff writer
For four consecutive years, LVC’s Homecoming King and Queen crowns have gone to students who all share one thing in one common characteristic; all have been resident assistants.
Since 2023, resident assistants have been crowned both Homecoming King and Homecoming Queen. This has created a unique streak that has continued year after year to this date with RA Dakota Brodzina and RA Lauren Murray taking home the crowns.
The tradition began in 2023, when Resident Assistants Abbie Keith and Garrett Evans were named Homecoming royalty. The following year, RAs Reinhold Louis and Val Bildheiser received the titles in 2024. In 2025, RAs Ben Farmer and Gwen Sears continued the streak, followed by Brodzina and Murray in 2026.
Brodzina believes RAs’ frequent interactions with students have helped them connect with the campus community and allowed them to earn recognition during the Homecoming court polling.
“I think RAs have continued to be recognized as Homecoming King and Queen because we are constantly interacting with people. Every day we are in the same living spaces, sharing things and becoming closer as a community. I think students can connect and relate to someone that they are around every day,” Brodzina said.
Being an RA has also provided Brodzina with the opportunity to welcome new students and create a major impact on their college experiences.
“Being an RA has given me the chance to connect with the LVC community by getting to interact with incoming first-years.” Brodzina said, “Every year I get to meet a new wave of Dutchmen and be a part of their journey through their first year at the Valley.”
Although Homecoming Court helps to recognize students from various fields across campus, the repeated success of resident assistants during homecoming has helped to develop a notable connection between the college’s residential life community and one of LVC’s annual traditions.
”The Residential Life staff supports and builds the character of the RAs at LVC,” Murray said, “They have helped us to become leaders and mentors to our residents and others on campus. We have a special opportunity to connect with students on an authentic level.”
As the streak reaches its fourth consecutive year, Resident Assistants have continued to make their mark on Homecoming, helping to add another notable feature to what makes this campus so special.