September 16, 2023
Mayville State’s 2023 Homecoming queen, Mackenzie Hughes, and king, Marcus Hughes, both of Thompson, N.D., were crowned Thursday evening, Sept. 14. Together with the homecoming court, Thyra Peterick, Hatton, N.D.; Kaitlin Ensign, Buxton, N.D.; Miriam Carignan, Walhalla, N.D.; Roy Morsette, Twin Buttes, N.D.; Jacob Strand, Glyndon, Minn.; and Gunnar Petersen, Mayville, N.D., they represented all Mayville State during the Homecoming 2023 festivities.
Miriam Carignan is majoring in business administration at Mayville State. She is on the women’s golf team and is active on campus as a peer leader and Collegiate DECA member, serving as the Mayville State chapter Vice President of Fundraising. Miriam is also statewide President of North Dakota Collegiate DECA. Miriam has enjoyed working in banking and finance since high school and after graduation hopes to become a loan officer at a financial institution.
Kaitlin Ensign is pursing majors in composite science education and chemistry and a minor in coaching. She is a co-president of the Mayville State Science Club and is also a member of Student Alumni Ambassadors and Student Education Association. She works in a research lab on campus and enjoys giving prospective students tours of campus. Kaitlin is in her second year of coaching Hillsboro Central Valley junior high volleyball. She spends her summers working as a counselor at Inspiration Bible Camp in Vining, Minn. This fall she will have the opportunity to travel to St. Louis, Missouri to present research findings on behalf of the research lab where she works. After graduating, Kaitlin plans to work in a rural North Dakota school as a high school science teacher.
Mackenzie Hughes is majoring in business administration with specializations in banking & finance and management. She plays for the women's basketball and softball teams, and she is a Peer Leader and member of Collegiate DECA. Kenzie intends to go to graduate school and she sees herself working in investments in the future.
Thyra Peterick is majoring in allied health with a minor in fitness and wellness. She is involved in Science Club, Diversity Club, choir, and band. She also works as a student researcher in a Mayville State research lab, as well as a lifeguard at the Mayville State pool. She's on the Mayville State volleyball team. After graduation, she plans to further her education to become a physical therapist. Her favorite thing about homecoming is getting Soholt bakery donuts with family and watching Comet Football!
Marcus Hughes is majoring in business administration. He is a member of the Mayville State baseball team and Mayville State Collegiate DECA. Marcus hopes to stay in North Dakota after graduating in the spring.
Roy Morsette is Arikara (enrolled) from Twin Buttes, N.D. on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. He is a descendant of Chief Red Fish (Oglala). Roy is majoring in business management. He loves taking part in the Mayville State theatre productions. He’s a grass dancer and performs for the MHA Nation Tourism at the North Dakota State Fair each year, teaching people about his culture. After graduation, his goal is to work for the MHA Nation’s business department, where he will share his culture with others.
Gunnar Petersen is pursuing a major in agribusiness. He is a Peer Leader and member of Collegiate DECA. Gunnar has worked at Thykeson Farms, rural Portland, N.D., since he was in the fourth grade. He plans to engage in a career in the agriculture sector when he finishes college.
Jacob Strand is majoring in coaching with a minor in sport management. He plays on the men’s basketball team and a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Council. After graduation, he plans to be a graduate assistant for a college basketball program with the goal of becoming aa head basketball coach at the college level some day.