GOODMAN, Miss. — Holmes Community College celebrated Homecoming on Thursday, Oct. 22 on the Goodman Campus with a day of activities, alumni recognitions, entertainment and Bulldog football. Emorey “Kami” Beard of French Camp was crowned the 2026 Homecoming Queen during the pregame presentation. She was escorted by J.R. North of Ridgeland.
Beard, the daughter of Glen and Karla Beard, is a pre-nursing major. She is actively involved in The Holmes Connection! and Concert Chorale, and is a member of Phi Theta Kappa. A member of Bethsaida Baptist Church, she plans to attend nursing school to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and become a labor and delivery or NICU nurse. Outside of her studies, she enjoys spending time with family, playing pickleball, watching movies and traveling.
North, son of John Sidney North and Robin North, is a sophomore majoring in Business. He is a member of the Holmes baseball team and Phi Theta Kappa.
Nikki Richardson, president of the Alumni Association, bore the Queen’s robe; Board of Trustee member Glen Beard presented the flowers and Holmes President Dr. Jim Haffey crowned her.
The 2026 Homecoming Court included representatives from the Goodman, Grenada and Ridgeland campuses.
Beard was joined on the Goodman Campus court by Student Body Maid Molly Steed of Kosciusko, escorted by Jack Harkins of Carthage; Sophomore Maids Kaylyn Alese McLendon of Winona, escorted by A.J. Arguello of Ocean Springs, and Alli Sparks of Kosciusko, escorted by Chase Peeples of Brandon; and Freshman Maids Claire Sophia Evans of Madison, escorted by Deuce Carter of Louin, and Mallory Moore of Kosciusko, escorted by Camden Thoms of Meridian.
The Grenada Campus court included Student Body Maid Charlotte “Charli” Woods of Carrollton, escorted by Asa James Clark of Carrollton; Sophomore Maids Katie Grace Ray of Duck Hill, escorted by Reid Blaylock of McCarley, and Olivia Crowley of French Camp, escorted by Owen Garrett of Carrollton; and Freshman Maids Harlee Johnson of Duck Hill, escorted by Cade Barton of Grenada, and Kendall Betts Tyner of Grenada, escorted by Holland Self of Winona.
The Ridgeland Campus court included Student Body Maid Mallory Sutton of Saint Amant, Louisiana, escorted by Gregory Windham of Madison; Sophomore Maids Kaitlyn Nash of Bentonia, escorted by Jonas May of Brandon, and Adelette Nichols of Brandon, escorted by Paxton McGee of Brandon; and Freshman Maids Madison Bidstrup of Corinth, escorted by Cole Thompson of Pelahatchie, and Leah Briscoe of Grenada, escorted by Miles Bailey of Winona.
Homecoming activities included a Visual Arts Show, open athletic practices, a Career and Transfer Fair, Major’s Truck Expo, a basketball alumni game, live performances, tailgating and a pep rally. Guests also enjoyed games, inflatables, a mechanical bull and food from Holmes dining facilities and local food trucks.
Homecoming honorees were recognized in McDaniel Auditorium. This year’s honorees were Alumna of the Year Allison McBride Schuler of Kosciusko; Distinguished Service Award recipient Margaret Monteith Davis of Grenada; Young Alumnus of the Year Dudley Jacarious Moore of San Diego, California; and Veteran of the Year Ret. Col. James Bridges of Kosciusko.
The 2026 alumni honorees were also recognized on the field, and the Holmes Chorale performed the national anthem before kickoff against Mississippi Delta Community College at Ras Branch Field.
Homecoming 2026 brought together Holmes alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends to celebrate Bulldog pride and reconnect with the Holmes community.
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Pictured are (left to right) Holmes President Dr. Jim Haffey, J.R. North (queen’s escort), Homecoming Queen Kami Beard, Holmes Board of Trustee Glen Beard and Holmes Alumni Association President Nicki Richardson.