LATROBE, PA – Though Saint Vincent College’s traditional October Homecoming and Fall Family Weekend events transitioned to a virtual celebration this past fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the College remained committed to recognizing its senior Homecoming court in person, doing so at halftime of the Saint Vincent football team’s April 10 contest against Washington & Jefferson College at Chuck Noll Field.
Ten senior students were recognized with an on-field ceremony during halftime of the game, including Mary Popp, Carlee Kilgus, Jenna Lafko, Sarah Maidment, Lauren McSwigan, Kyle Watson, Tom Bash, Gesco Camille, Michael Cella and Matthew Evans.
Popp and Watson were elected queen and king, respectively.
Mary Popp, a native of Arnold, Maryland, is a psychological science and politics major and the daughter of Thomas and Ruth Popp. She is a psychology teaching assistant and tutor, a member of the Bearcat Buddies Club and the Alpha Lambda Delta, Pi Sigma Alpha and Psi Chi honor societies, serving as Psi Chi president. A prefect for the last two years, she is a Washington Fellow and following graduation from SVC, will attend graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh to pursue a Master of Social Work degree.
Kyle Watson, of Essex, Maryland, is an integrated science major with an allied health concentration. The son of Bruce and Karen Watson, he serves as the president of the Saint Vincent College senior class, as well as president of SVC’s Uniting All People Club, while he acts in each of the College theater groups, including the Saint Vincent College Players, The Company and The Gilbert and Sullivan Club. In addition to his theater exploits, Watson works in the Liberatore Human Anatomy Lab in the Sis and Herman Dupré Science Pavilion, served as team manager for the SVC women’s basketball team and is a tour guide for the Department of Admissions.
Carlee Kilgus, a native of Bridgeville, Pennsylvania, and daughter of Brian and Jennifer Kilgus, is an integrated science major and psychology minor who will be pursuing intraoperative neuromonitoring after graduating from SVC. She is a member of the Alpha Chi and Tri-Beta honor societies and was a four-year member and two-time all-conference honoree for the Saint Vincent women’s basketball team, winning Presidents’ Athletic Conference (PAC) championships in 2019 and 2021.
Jenna Lafko, a native of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, is the daughter of Joseph and Shannon Lafko. She is a psychology major, a sociology minor, and has completed her addiction specialist certification. A four-year teammate of Kilgus on the women’s basketball team, Lafko is a three-time All-PAC honoree and was named the conference’s Player of the Year for 2019-20. Following graduation, she will pursue a master’s degree in counselor education.
Sarah Maidment, a native of Avella, Pennsylvania, is a biology major and the daughter of William and Heather Maidment. At Saint Vincent College, she serves as the historian of both the Alpha Lambda Delta and Tri-Beta honor societies. She works as an educator at the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, Wildlife Works and the Pittsburgh Zoo and is also employed as a veterinarian technician at Ridgeview Veterinary Clinic in Derry. Following graduation, she plans on continuing her education and pursuing a career as a veterinarian.
Lauren McSwigan is a native of Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, and the daughter of David and Laurie McSwigan. A communication major, she serves as a Bearcat BEST job coach and is a four-year member and senior captain for the Bearcat women’s soccer team. Following graduation, she plans to pursue a career in the communication field.
Tom Bash is a native of Upper Saint Clair, Pennsylvania. The son of Thomas and Karen Bash, he is a business management major and minors in business data analytics, economics and marketing. He serves as a prefect in Rooney Hall and is a four-year member of the Bearcat baseball team as a pitcher and first baseman.
Gesco Camille is a native of Port au Prince, Haiti, and resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The son of Limalia Jeanjacques and grandson of Marie Jeanjacques, he is a criminology, law and society major. A four-year member of the Saint Vincent football team, Camille also serves as treasurer for the SVC Uniting All People Club.
Michael Cella, a native of Wilkins Township, Pennsylvania, is a biology major and music minor. The son of Jeff and Erin Cella, he serves as a prefect in Saint Benedict Hall and is active as a leader on the Saint Vincent College Activities Programming Board. Following graduation, he will attend medical school at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Matt Evans is a native of New Brighton, Pennsylvania, and the son of Mark and Jackie Evans. A member of the Saint Vincent College Honors Program, Evans is a double major in theology and computer information technology. He works on the Saint Vincent College residence life staff and is a four-year member and senior captain of the Bearcat baseball team, pitching and playing infield.
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PHOTO 1: Top – from left to right – Mary Popp, Carlee Kilgus, Jenna Lafko, Sarah Maidment and Lauren McSwigan; Bottom from left to right – Kyle Watson, Tom Bash, Gesco Camille, Michael Cella and Matt Evans.
PHOTO 2: Mary Popp and Kyle Watson after being announced as queen and king, respectively, during halftime of the Saint Vincent/Washington & Jefferson football game at Chuck Noll Field.
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