By Stephanie Smith
Michael Sticklen shielded Anar Mashruwala from the drizzly weather during the U of L football game against TCU this Saturday. However, the gray skies looming over them seemed to disappear as they were crowned the 2002 Homecoming King and Queen.
“I was completely surprised when I realized I had won; I honestly was not expecting it,” said Mashruwala.
Sticklen expressed similar sentiments. “When they announced that the king was a chemical engineering major, I couldn’t believe it. Part of me wanted to slide in a puddle, and the other part couldn’t comprehend.”
The two shocked candidates were chosen from a group of ten queen and ten king semifinalists. After announcing awards given to individuals from the different university schools, each of the ten couples marched beneath swords brandished by a brigade of ROTC members.
They were led by acting president James Ramsey.
After realizing that they had won, Sticklen and Mashruwala stepped forward to be crowned by last year’s homecoming king and queen Nathan Dooley and Lea Thurman.
Following their formal presentation as the new royal couple, they led the parade of contestants through the muddy football field.
Though the crowd of 34,127 was cold, wet, and disappointed by the halftime deficit of 32-6, which later turned to a 31-45 loss, they did not withhold their cheers from the two winners. Waving signs and clapping their hands, they yelled their congratulations. Other participating candidates offered felicitations.
“Walking on the field on Saturday, I didn’t have very high expectations. The other candidates were very deserving. I was just proud to be a part of the court. Walking out in front of thousands of U of L students was already excitement enough,” Sticklen said.
Sticklen is a junior chemical engineering major. He is a Speed School senator and the 2002 Greek King. While at the university, he has participated in various activities, including serving on Speed School student council as director of public relations, U of L Athletic Association Board, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, Speed School Integrity Review Committee, director of Leadership Advantage, Freshman LEAD, and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He also serves on the presidential search committee.
Mashruwala is a junior biology major. She currently serves as an A&S senator and is a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. Her other activities during her time at U of L include Panhellenic Vice President, Indian Student Association, Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Med honor society, and GUTS.
Upon graduation, Mashruwala plans to attend the University of Louisville Medical School.
Of all her honors at the university, she said, “I think my greatest accomplishment at the University of Louisville thus far is winning this title! I consider all my involvements within different organizations to be accomplishments, but this is just a wonderful university-wide honor, and I think to have won it is a great accomplishment.”
Sticklen said, “I see my greatest accomplishment at U of L to be the friends I’ve made. I have never been so close to as many people as I have at U of L.”
He also said that Saturday was a day that “I will never forget, and I’m sure Anar won’t either.”
