Written by Jada Robison and Caroline Birdwell | Photo by Madison Meyer
After over a year of COVID-19 protocols and social distancing, Harding was able to have Homecoming back at its fullest capacity and celebrated by crowning senior Deanna Hutson as the 2021 Homecoming Queen.
Hutson represented women’s social club Delta Gamma Rho (DGR). Hutson is a nursing major from Memphis, Tennessee. Throughout her time at the University, Hutson has served as vice president of Harding Nursing Student
Association, an ambassador for HU Heal and a member of Phi Sigma Iota.
Members of DGR said Hutson represents the club well and was deserving of the honor, but Hutson is a greater representative for Christ.
“She has such a kind heart and is always serving others,” senior Delaney Arthurs said. “She embodies what it means to follow Christ, which is something the women of Delta Gamma Rho strive to do daily.”
Sophomore Regan McClure agreed with Arthurs.
“Deanna has been a consistent example of Christ’s love and compassion,” McClure said. “She is truly here to serve others and is most definitely a gracious winner.”
McClure also said she believes Hutson has set a tone around the Harding campus of what it looks like to be a Christ-minded friend.
“She’s been the sweetest friend, and I believe set the tone of kingdom-minded friendship throughout DGR and the campus,” McClure said.
Hutson said that being nominated was a surprise to her, so winning was a surreal experience and a reminder that Jesus is working through her.
“It was very surprising because … being [a nursing major] has been pretty busy the last two semesters, so I feel like I haven’t been as present as I’ve wanted to be … so it really caught me off guard in a good way,” Hutson said. “I think it was just really cool to get to have that experience and also to just be reminded that the impact that Jesus can have is bigger than any impact we can have on our own.”
