On Nov.1, Vincennes University crowned its new Homecoming King and Queen.

Sophomores Keishawn “K.T.” Thomas and Bailey Hardwick were crowned at halftime during the Men’s Basketball game, a tradition dating back to the early 1950s here on
campus.

The new king and queen are no strangers to holding prominent positions and titles.

New Queen Bailey Hardwick, an Agriculture Major, has held many titles in the pageant world before, getting her start in 7th grade.

“They talked to us about the county fair when I was 13, when I took the packet home to my mom she was all for it.” Hardwick stated.

Looking back at her first time on stage, Hardwick reflected on the feeling of not being good enough.

“We went to practices, and I remember just crying constantly and just a ball of nerves,” Hardwick continues. “Somehow in my first pageant I ended up being second youngest to win Miss Teen County Washington Fair.”

Due to the outbreak of COVID Hardwick was able to hold her title for two years.

“I decided to run for Miss Washington County Fair in 2024, and I ended up winning People’s Choice and I even won Queen,” she said.

Hardwick made it to the State Competition but unfortunately fell short.

“After the competition ended I remember driving the two hours home, and also shedding a couple tears but i just kept telling myself you can’t win
them all,” she said.

Running for Homecoming Queen here at VU, Hardwick was a little hesitant at the beginning but eventually worked up the courage to compete.

“When I saw the flyer, I just was like why not? So I decided to just run for fun,” she said.

“I started campaigning really just by word-of-mouth, and my professor was really supportive and told her classes,” Hardwick continued. “I printed up some flyers and
posted them around campus and even came to all the student events.”

After her name was called, Hardwick was, “shocked to say the least,” when she realized
that she was now Vincennes University’s 2025 Homecoming Queen.

“I looked over at my walking partner and remembered saying no way.”

“Something I look forward to doing as Queen is being more involved on campus and interacting more with student activities,” she said.

New Homecoming King Keishawn “K.T.” Thomas has held many titles on the Vincennes University campus. Thomas is a Construction Major who has served as an Intramural Sports Referee for two semesters. Thomas has also been a member of the Vincennes University Cheer Team for two years.

“It’s been a little different but also the same – different because when I walk around the town or campus people would say, ‘hey king!,’ but besides that nothing has changed,” Thomas said. “The support has been good; a lot of people really liked that I was running for the position.”

Thomas campaigned by also attending student events and talking to many different people on campus. During his reign, Thomas hopes to interact more with students on campus as well as getting stronger with the Cheer Team.

“I’m excited to continue to learn more skills in my major, as well as getting stronger during the season, I hope the school year continues to go well,” he said.

Keishawn “K.T.” and Bailey will be King and Queen for the remainder of the 2025-26 school year. The university will crown the next King and Queen during the fall semester of 2026.