DWU crowns 2024 Blue & White Days homecoming royalty

MITCHELL, S.D. — Dakota Wesleyan University crowned its Blue & White Days homecoming royalty Monday night during Coronation. Dexter Curry III, Kansas City, Mo., and Mckinnely Mull, Vernal, Utah, were named the DWU Homecoming Royalty for 2024.

Curry graduated from Park Hill High School. He is majoring in Entrepreneurial Leadership and is a member of the Tiger’s football team. Curry works part-time as a cook at Bradley’s Pub and Grille in Mitchell. His parents are Vernetta White and Dexter Curry Junior.

Mull, a graduate of Uintah High School, has majors in Biochemistry and Psychology. She is an award-winning member of the DWU women’s softball team where she was honored with GPAC all-conference honors three years in a row, twice making the first team. Mull is a past president and current social media manager for the CHAOS science club, a member of Conservation Club and is a mental health advocate for Lost and Found. Mull has worked for the University of Utah Adult and Pediatric Neurology department. Her parents are Diana Mull and Chris Schlosser, and Jason Mull and Jen Mull.

DWU also crowned its 2024 Beanie Royalty – a title bestowed on two freshmen who have already made an impact on the campus community during their short time at DWU and have embraced DWU’s values of learning, leadership, faith and service. Tesa Olson, Valley City, N.D., and Landon Thury, Avon, were named this year’s Beanie Royalty.

The following were also candidates for homecoming royalty:

Abby Brunsing graduated from Wagner Community School and is majoring in Elementary Education with a certificate in coaching. She is a member of the volleyball team where she has served as captain in both her junior and senior seasons. She was named a Daktronics NAIA Scholar Athlete in 2022 and 2023 and CSC Academic All-District in 2023. Brunsing is a member of Aspiring Educators, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Semper Bible group. She is the daughter of Mike and Becky Brunsing.

Chloe Cink attended Park Center High School in her hometown of Brooklyn Park, Minn. She is majoring in Elementary Education and Special Education. Cink serves as the women’s basketball student coach. She is a member of Aspiring Educators. During her college years, Cink as worked as a nanny during the summers. Her parents are Heather Miller-Cink and Kevin Cink.

Jakob Dobney is a Vermillion who graduated from Vermillion High School. The Psychology major plays basketball for DWU. He is a member of Lost and Found. Dobney is the son of Reesa Sanborn and Nathan Dobney.

Layton Eide is an Athletic Training major from Clear Lake, graduating from Deuel County High School. Eide is a member of the football team and has twice been named an NAIA scholar athlete. He is vice-president of the Athletic Training club, president of the Association of Student Athletes, and a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Eide works part-time at Bradley’s Pub and Grille in Mitchell. He is the son of Stacy and Jacque Eide.

Tania Hernandez of Lincoln, Neb., is majoring in Business Administration with emphases in organizational management and communication for the digital age. She participates in women’s soccer, cross country, and track and field. Hernandez is also appearing in the theatre department’s upcoming production of “The Play that Goes Wrong.” She is a member of the Conservation Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Hernancez works off campus as a teacher at Li’l Tykes Daycare and as a nursing assistant at Avera Brady. She is the daughter of Maria and Mark Hubbard and Luis Hernandez.

Madison Lynn Jenny is a Columbus, Neb., native who graduated from Columbus High School and is majoring in Elementary Education. Jenny played soccer for three years and received an NAIA Daktronics scholar athlete designation. She is a member of Aspiring Educators. Jenny works in the 4-1 student teaching program and has coached girls’ under-12 soccer in Mitchell for the past two years. She has also been employed as an assistant manager at Famous Footwear and works as a nanny during her summers. Jenny’s parents are Mike and Amy Jenny.

Keesha Letcher, from Bridgewater, is a graduate of Bridgewater-Emery High School. She is a Criminal Justice major, a past treasurer of the Student Senate in 2023-24, a member of the Homecoming Committee and Student Ministry Council. Letcher is employed at Edgewood Assisted Living and at an in-home daycare. She is the daughter of Todd and Jill Letcher.

Logan Serck comes to DWU from Hudson where he graduated from Alcester-Hudson High School. He is majoring in Elementary Education with a certificate in coaching. Serck is a member of the football team, the team’s leadership council and is a member of Aspiring Educators. He is employed part-time at Serck Construction. Serck is the son of Phillip and Michelle Serck.

Wyatt Van Den Top is from Sioux Falls and graduated from Lincoln High School. He is majoring in Entrepreneurial Leadership. Van Den Top played football for DWU for three years. He serves on the Business Leadership Council. His parents are Jessica and Chris Pappas.

Mackenzie Weber comes to DWU from Brookings where she graduated from Brookings High School. She has played volleyball for the Tigers. Weber is the daughter of Darin and Anita Weber.

The following were also candidates for Beanie Royalty:

Des Botts, Lakewood, Calif.
Mohrgyn Brug, Rapid City
Molly Colgrove, Gretna, Neb.
Carter Harris, Mitchell
Jacob Jorenby, White
Halle Livingston, Beresford