2026 Homecoming Royalty Court
Meet your 2026 Homecoming Royalty Court! These individuals are learners who represent the Grand Valley community and emulate what it means to be a Laker.
Homecoming Royalty Court Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name.
Vote for your 2026 GVSU Homecoming Royal
_________________________________________________________
Voting is only open for currently enrolled GVSU students
Name: Jalen Aftimos
Pronouns: He/Him
Class Standing: Fourth-year
Major: Biomedical Science (Pre-Med)
Minor: General Business
Involvements: Interfraternity Council VP of Judicial Affairs, Vice President Pre Med Club, and Vice President Helping Hands Club
What does it mean to be a member on the Homecoming Royalty Court? Being a part of the Homecoming Royalty Court this year is an opportunity to represent the community that has shaped so much of my college experience. GVSU has given me countless opportunities to grow through academics, leadership, service, and relationships I've built along the way. I hope to use this opportunity to represent the GVSU community with gratitude and pride. Most importantly, I see it as a chance to celebrate the people and experiences that have made Grand Valley a home for thousands of students.
Name: Rosa Argueta
Pronouns: She/Her
Class Standing: Fourth-year
Majors: Human Resource Management
Involvements: Vice president of Delta Tau Lambda Sorority, Inc.
What does it mean to be a member on the Homecoming Royalty Court? Being on the homecoming royalty court is something I would have never expected from myself, I was never one to care about these things until I was nominated and realized the significance of this role. Being on the homecoming court is being a representative of the university's, my sorority's, and of my overarching community's values. It shows that I strive for greatness and through Grand Valley I can achieve that greatness. I often find myself feeling like a background character or like the woman behind the curtain, putting in hours and hours of work for my community to make Grand Valley feel like home, but never really feeling seen in my efforts. Being on homecoming court is an honor and a testament to how much I love Grand Valley, how I have found myself and my support system on our campus, and how hard I'm willing to work to return the gift of belonging to other lakers.
Name: Anissa Faison
Pronouns: She/Her
Class Standing: Fourth-year
Major: Dance & Marketing
Involvements: NAACP-Ad&PR Chair NABA- Event Coordinator Ignite Dance Co.- Social media coordinator YBBW-general member Mentor for dance department mentor for Seidman College of business
What does it mean to be a member on the Homecoming Royalty Court? Being apart of Homecoming Royalty court means to me by having recognition for the work I’ve done on GV campus. Not only representing what it means to be a laker but representing myself and the growth over the 3 years. It’s a fun opportunity and experience to be apart of the homecoming royal court.
Name: Bella Frikken
Pronouns: She/Her
Class Standing: Fourth-year
Majors: Communications Sciences and Disorders
Minor: Psychology
Involvements: Student Senate, Cook Leadership, NSSLAH, Delta Zeta Sorority, Greek Intervarsity
What does it mean to be a member on the Homecoming Royalty Court? Being a member of the Homecoming Royalty Court means having the opportunity to represent a community that has given me so much throughout my time at GVSU. Grand Valley has allowed me to grow as a student, leader, and person while connecting me with people and experiences I will always be grateful for. To me, Homecoming is about bringing Lakers together and celebrating the sense of community and belonging that makes GVSU special. Being selected for the court would be an honor and a chance to represent the students and organizations that have made GVSU feel like home.
Name: Genesis Giron-Ayala
Pronouns: She/Her
Class Standing: Fourth-year
Major: Biomedical Science
Minor: Chemistry and Psychology
Involvements: President of the Omicron Chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc., President of Mu Epsilon Delta, Member in Laker Familia, Cook Leadership Fellow of Cohort 2025-2026
What does it mean to be a member on the Homecoming Royalty Court? It truly means a lot that my involvement on campus went recognized by others when I just love being involved in any way I can. It truly brings me joy that not only am I able to represent myself but represent my organizations. Being on Homecoming Royalty Court means being a leader, being there for others in my community, and being a voice for others.
Name: Sophie Lehner
Pronouns: She/Her
Class Standing: Fourth-year
Major: Advertising and Public Relations
Minors: Psychology
Certificate: Badge in Social Media Strategy and Analytics
Involvements: President of Activities for the Campus Activities Board (CAB), Chief Operations Officer for GrandPR, Immediate Past President for the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
What does it mean to be a member on the Homecoming Royalty Court? I am so excited to represent Grand Valley on court this year. GVSU has given me so many opportunities to grow as both a professional and person. Grand Valley truly is the best place to be and I love that I get to show all the joy that GV has given me on Homecoming Court this year!
Name: Darcy Luis
Pronouns: they/them
Class Standing: Third-year
Major: Philosophy
Minor: Health Care Ethics and Political Science
Involvements: Dean of Students Office (Front Desk Worker/Student Team Lead); Milt Ford Legacy Collective: Rainbow Resource Center (Front Desk Worker); Peter C. Cook Leadership Academy (Lead Fellow); Philosophy Club; Laker Familia; Honors Familia; Amnesty International (GVSU Chapter); Frederik Meijer Honors College; Thompson Scholar; Grand Valley State University Varsity Glee Club; West Michigan Voices of Pride
What does it mean to be a member on the Homecoming Royalty Court? Being a member on the Homecoming Royalty Court represents everything that I was hoping for when I first chose Grand Valley. It is a tremendous honor to be recognized as a Laker who is dedicated to serving their community. At the end of the day, I am grateful for the fact that GVSU has endless opportunities for students to take advantage of. This is for younger Darcy, who felt they didn’t have a place where they belonged—it always works out in the end!
Name: A'Layja Robinson
Pronouns: She/Her
Class Standing: Third-year
Major: Nursing
Involvements: Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. , Vice President of Multicultural Student Nursing Organization, B.A.A.S.E Ambassador, Member of You Beautiful Black Women(YBBW), Frederik Meijer Honors Student, Member of Black Student Union(BSU)
What does it mean to be a member on the Homecoming Royalty Court? Being a member on the Homecoming Royalty Court means a lot to me because it represents how much I have grown and the impact I have made within the GVSU community. It gives me the opportunity to represent students who look like me and remind them that they belong here too. Being a part of this court represents leadership, serving the community, and what it means to be a Laker for a lifetime.
Name: Grayson Rodgers
Pronouns: He/Him
Class Standing: Fourth-Year
Major: Public and Nonprofit Administration
Minor: Sociology
Involvements: Student Senate Policy Chair, Residential Assistant, Cook Leadership Academy Lead Fellow, Community Engagement Intern for GRA250, McNair Scholar, WIT Peer Educator
What does it mean to be a member on the Homecoming Royalty Court? To me, being a member of the Homecoming Royalty Court means representing the Grand Valley community that has given me so many opportunities to grow, lead, and find my place. From serving as a Resident Assistant and Student Senate Policy Chair to participating in research, leadership, and service opportunities, Grand Valley has helped me discover not only the leader I am, but the kind of person I want to become. Being on homecoming court allows me to celebrate the people and experiences that have made this university feel like home while creating those meaningful connections for others. I am proud to represent the Laker community with integrity, gratitude, and a commitment to making every student feel that they belong.
Name: Parker Stewart
Pronouns: He/Him
Class Standing: Fourth-year
Major: Communications and Media Studies
Minor: Film and Video
Involvements: Delta Tau Delta Fraternity, Order of Omega, Promotions Office
What does it mean to be a member on the Homecoming Royalty Court? Being chosen to be on the GVSU Homecoming Royalty Court is really an honor to me, and I’m very grateful to be a representative of this great community that I’ve been a part of for the last few years. This also acts as a thank you from myself to the countless individuals who have played huge roles in my journey to success both within and outside of the Grand Valley community. I’m very excited to play a larger role in this Homecoming season and act as a significant figure to inspire the Grand Valley spirit in those around me.
