Week’s activities share Hollywood theme

The red carpet was rolled out – figuratively, if not literally – last weekend for the 2014 Court Warming Royalty at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

The ceremony took place in Municipal Auditorium at halftime of the men’s basketball game against Utah Valley. Last year’s Royalty, Josh Kruger and Maxwell Ramirez, joined the eight candidates at midcourt for the announcement.

Raschell West and Mary Margaret Pearman, both clad in purple floor-length gowns, were crowned Royalty winners. They will represent the student body at summer orientation and serve as committee members for Court Warming 2015. Colby Carpenter won the Most Congenial Award.

West, of Kansas City, Mo., is a junior majoring in music therapy. She was sponsored by Chi Omega sorority. Pearman, a junior from St. Louis, is a pre-dental major; she was sponsored by Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

The winners were determined by a combination of student votes, interviews, and participation in Court Warming Week activities built around the “Rolling Out the Red Carpet” theme. Those included a Game Night, Trivia Night, service project at Union Station, costume/dance competition and “Yell Like Hell” competition, in which teams presented a five-minute song/dance/skit.

The costume/dance competition took place during halftime of the men’s basketball game against Bakersfield, where candidates strutted their stuff Hollywood-style — a mélange of tuxedos, Elvis sequins, a baby doll as an accessory, and a suit of blue and gold.

The noise level of the audience determined the winner. Raschell “Roo-shell” West accepted the bragging rights. Turns out a classic black evening gown was all it took to get the crowd loud.

“I’ll look out for the little guys,” West said in a pre-recorded speech about why she’s worthy of court royalty.

In 1955, an annual Homecoming banquet and dance honored university alumni. In the mid 1970’s, Homecoming ceased; and it was not until 1996 that the new name, Court Warming, encompassed a week full of events for students and a celebration of the UMKC basketball teams. The Court Warming tradition continues to focus on building student engagement.

Candidates for Court Warming 2014:  

Christopher Beaudoin
Major: Chemistry, Biology
Hometown: Waynesville, Mo.
Year in School: Senior
Student Organization: Mortar Board National Senior Honor Society

Mary Margaret Pearman
Major: Chemistry BA (Pre-Dental)
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
Year in School: Junior
Student Organization: Alpha Delta Pi

Raschell West
Major: Music Therapy
Hometown: Kansas City, Mo.
Year in School: Junior
Student Organization: Chi Omega

Colby Carpenter
Major: Pre-Dental Biology major
Hometown: Gardner Kan.
Student Organization: Lambda Chi Alpha

Bri Ehrler
Major: Chemistry, Biology, and Philosophy
Hometown: Modesto, Calif.
Year in School: Senior
Student Organization: Delta Zeta

Jacob Dorries
Major: Criminal justice
Hometown: Kansas City Mo.
Year in School: Sophomore
Student Organization: Pride Alliance

Brett Parrott
Major: Chemistry Pre-Dental
Year in School: Senior
Student Organization: Alpha Phi Omega

Jonathan Finch
Major: Civil Engineering
Year in School: Sophomore
Student Organization: Sigma Alpha Epsilon