MITCHELL, S.D. — Dakota Wesleyan University crowned its homecoming royalty Monday night during Coronation. Darby Deffenbaugh, of Kimball, and Adam DeJong of Watertown, were named the DWU Homecoming Royalty for 2022.

Darby Deffenbaugh, Kimball, is a double major in Elementary Education and Psychology. She has competed in Track and Field and was the 2021 GPAC outdoor championship qualifier in hammer and discus. Deffenbaugh is also a representative to the Athletic Student Association. She has sung with the Wesleyan Choir and is very involved on campus as is a member of Psychology Club, Future Teachers Organization, DWU Lost and Found Chapter, is a Lost and Found Advocate, and a DWU Ambassador. Off campus Deffenbaugh works with the Mitchell Area Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Communities That Care Board. The Kimball High School graduate’s parents are Dustin and Sarah Deffenbaugh.

Adam DeJong, Watertown, is a Nursing major with a Psychology minor. At DWU, DeJong is a captain of the Tiger football team. He is a member of the Student Nurses Association and is a recipient of a John Wesley Academic and Athletic scholarship. DeJong graduated from Watertown High School. His parents are Brian and Kathy DeJong.

DWU also crowned its 2022 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. Erynn Gerlach, Corsica, and Max Raab, Yankton, were named this year’s Beanie Royalty.

The following were also candidates for homecoming royalty:

Madeline Else, Holstein, Iowa: Else is majoring in Biochemistry with a minor in Math. While at DWU, Else has played Women’s Volleyball and has been a three-time team captain. Else was named to the GPAC All-Conference Second Team in both 2020 and 2021. She is very active on campus: was CHAOS president in 2021-22, and serves as past president this year; was the Association of Student Athletes volleyball representative for four years and is president of the ASA this year. She is also the founder of the pre-health club and a member of the math club. Elsse is a recipient of a John Wesley Athletic and Academic Scholarships and was the winner of the Homer Carhart Prize in Science. In her spare time, she serves as a tutor. Else is a graduate of Ridge View High School in Holstein and is the daughter of Grant and Shelly Else.

Mariah Gloe, Watertown: Gloe majors in Elementary Education. She is a two-time captain of the Volleyball team and has achieved GPAC all-conference honorable mention. Gloe is a member of the Future Teachers Organization. She is the recipient of several scholarships including DWU President Academic and Athletic Scholarship and the O’Byrne Scholarship through the Education Department. Off campus she has worked as a nanny. Mariah is a graduate of Watertown High School. Her parents are Scott and Kristi Gloe.

Samuel Henderson, Buena Park, Calif.: Henderson is a Business Administration/Finance and Management major. He plays football for DWU and is a member of the team leadership council. Henderson keeps busy with Student Ministry Council (Executive Committee); Student Senate where he has served as secretary and vice-president; and is a member of the Dayton Hall Residence Life team. He is the recipient of a CorTrust Scholarship, an Athletic Scholarship, and a Trio scholarship. Off campus, Henderson is employed as a teller at CorTrust Bank and at Menard’s. Sam attended Buena Park High School and Pacifica High School. He is the son of Wendy Henderson, Daniel Henderson, and James Guglielmana.

Ryan Kienzle, Gillette, Wyo.: Kienzle is majoring in sports exercise and wellness. He is a senior thrower on the Track and Field team. Kienzle graduated from Thunder Basin high school in Gillette. His parents are John Kienzle and Cari Kienzle.

Grace Lewis, Custer: Lewis is majoring in Music Education with an instrumental concentration. She sings alto in the Wesleyan Choir and Highlanders chamber choir; plays the baritone saxophone in the DWU Jazz Band and Pep Band; plays the tenors in the DWU drumline; plays in the Wesleyan Bell Choir; and plays the contra-alto and contra-bass clarinet in the Wesleyan Band and Lyricwood. Lewis is the BRING leader for Student Ministry Council and is president of the student chapter of the national association of music educators. She has been awarded several scholarships including an academic scholarship, the Student Ministry scholarship, the Music scholarship, and the Vicki Clarke Memorial Scholarship. Lewis works off-campus as a server at Ruby Tuesdays. She graduated from Custer High School. She is the daughter of Kathleen and Mikal Lewis.

Carter Max, Mitchell: Max is a Nursing major. He is president of the Student Nurses Association and is involved with TRIO, Residence Life and is a member of the Blue and White Days planning committee. Max received a Presidential Leadership scholarship. He graduated from Mitchell High School. Max’s parents are Chris and Kim Max.

Sidney Muckey, Geddes: Muckey is an Elementary Education major. She serves as student coach for the women’s basketball team and is a member of the Future Teacher’s Organization. This semester Muckey is student teaching fourth grade at LB Williams Elementary School. She graduated from Dakota Christian High School in Corsica and is the daughter of Joel and Kirsti Muckey.

Rynn Osthus, DeSmet: Osthus majors in Sports, Exercise, and Wellness with a minor in Psychology. She is a member of the women’s basketball team and has been awarded GPAC Conference Honors. Osthus is a member of the DWU Association of Student Athletes. She has been awarded a Trustee Scholarship. She graduated from DeSmet High School. Osthus is the daughter of Doug and Shelly Osthus.

Mattilynn Reiner, Tripp: Reiner majors in Sports, Exercise, and Wellness. She is a member of the Women’s Basketball team and has been recognized as all conference, all American, and a member of the GPAC Championship team in 2022. Reiner attended Tripp-Delmont High School. Her parents are Marc and Carrie Reiner.

Matthew Schwaerzler, Fife, Wash.: Schwaerzler is a double major in Business Administration with a concentration in Sports Management and in Digital Media and Design. He is a member of the DWU football team and has received a Football Academic and Athletic Scholarship and a Christian Leadership Scholarship. Schwaerzler is a member of Student Ministry Council, Student Senate, and the Blue and White Days Planning Committee. Schwaerzler has worked as an intern for the Portland Pickles Baseball Club. He graduated from Fife High School. Matt’s parents are Tony & Carol Schwaerzler.

The following were also candidates for Beanie Royalty:

Peyton Bettcher, Hartford
Carson Gohl, Ipswich
Olivia Huber, Mitchell
Jacob Marxhausen, Two Harbors, Minn.
Lina Miranda, Kaneohe, Hawaii
Lindsey Nelson, Rapid City