Juanita Whitaker, 60-year-old senior standing mass communications major at Colorado State University – Pueblo, is running for the 2009 Homecoming Queen .
If she is elected for the 2009 Homecoming Queen she will be the first senior citizen in CSU-Pueblo to receive that honor states Whitaker.
Whitaker has completed the requirements for the application. Each candidate must have a minimum GPA of 2.75, must be currently enrolled in 12 credit hours and must be a sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student to apply.
Also, the candidates are required to complete two short question essays. The first prompt is “ What do you feel is your biggest achievement as CSU-Pueblo?” and the second prompt “Why do you feel you are the best to represent CSU-Pueblo ?”
Whitaker is currently attending college for the second time.
In the early 70s she attended a college in Norfolk,Va.
“I have always been a proactive person ,” Whitaker states. In the early 70s Whitaker states she was detained by campus police because she was campaigning for gay rights by hanging posters. Whitaker and friends were sticking up for a classmate who was scrutinized for being gay before he finally dropped out of class.
Whitaker said she felt the college should have done more to keep the student on campus.
Whitaker said she is running for Homecoming Queen to help set an example and to represent senior citizens on the campus and help those senior citizens who maybe question how they fit into the campus life.
“I’ve never known how to act like an old person; some of my best friends are young people,” Whitaker said.
Whitaker said if she is chosen for Homecoming Queen she will wear something from Liz Claiborne because she is a big fan of her. “I’m not as fashionable as Michelle Obama,” Whitaker said.
Whitaker said she intends on getting flyers printed with her photo on the front with what she believes in as part of her campaign.
“I am a supporter of young, old and everyone in between. It’s a great life; don’t waste a minute of it. Always reach for your dreams, ” Whitaker said.