Stony Brook University has announced the members of its 2025 Homecoming Court, continuing a tradition that began in 1984. This year, ten students have been selected as finalists for the 41st Court of Royal Seawolves.
The Homecoming Court tradition at Stony Brook started with Eric Levine and Jackie Delaney as the first Homecoming King and Queen. In 2018, the university changed to an all-gender court format, now allowing three individuals to be named "Stony Brook Royals." Last year's royals were Dillon Peters, Jayleen Garcia, and Ruth Zhang.
The candidates for the 2025 Homecoming Court are Karega Atkinson Jr., Madison Cinalli, Sarah Elbaroudy, Jaiden Francis, Lana Gouda, Bryant Peña, Luca Rallis, Shanell Rollon, David Safo and Christopher Yang.
Karega Atkinson Jr. is double majoring in electrical engineering and applied mathematics and statistics. He has held leadership roles in several student organizations including the National Society of Black Physicists and the National Society of Black Engineers. Atkinson also serves as a resident assistant and student support specialist.
Madison Cinalli is studying biology and psychology with specializations in genetics and chemistry/biology. She serves as president of Theta Phi Alpha sorority and the Inter-Fraternity and Sorority Council. Cinalli is also vice president of Order of Omega honor society and works as an emergency medical technician. She balances two jobs on campus while leading multiple initiatives.
Sarah Elbaroudy is a double major in political science and sociology enrolled in the WISE Honors Program. As president of Undergraduate Student Government (USG), she represents students across various university governance bodies. Elbaroudy has advocated for policy reforms affecting students at both campus-wide and SUNY-wide levels.
Jaiden Francis majors in mechanical engineering. He serves as a resident assistant, mentor for Black and Latinx Initiatives Student Success, audio visual technician for USG events, Craft Room assistant, DJ under the name DJ 1Flame, former vice president of Caribbean Student Organization, teaching assistant for MEC 225, mechanical team lead for Stony Brook Robotics team among other roles.
Lana Gouda studies political science and economics with a minor in philosophy. She is president of the Political Science Society at SBU and coordinates major campus events such as Earthstock through her work with Student Life.
Bryant Peña is double majoring in chemistry and biology while participating actively within research groups on campus. He holds positions including RA in Wagner Hall; advisory board member for Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program; vice president roles within Synthetic Biology Society & Latinos Business Association; University Scholar; teaching assistant; peer mentor; member of Undergraduate Biology Student Advisory Board; weightlifter; card collector.
Luca Rallis majors in political science. As president of both SUNY Student Assembly & SUNY Student Trustees he represents over one million students across New York’s state university system through advocacy roles since his freshman year at Stony Brook.
Shanell Rollon double majors in biochemistry & media/art/culture with a minor in digital arts. A first-generation student leader originally from the Philippines she leads marketing efforts on campus events like Wolfieland & Roth Regatta while founding Adobe Creatives at SBU & collaborating nationally through American Medical Women’s Association Premedical Division alongside partnerships with brands such as Adobe & Clinique.
David Safo specializes in finance within business management honors program adding minors in accounting real estate insurance while coordinating mentorship programs supporting Black/Latinx students via Dean Of Students office serving as chief justice within USG interning at Société Générale consulting Fortune 500 executives regarding AI strategy/regulation aiming to drive institutional change via leadership strategy empathy.
Christopher Yang majors in journalism serving as club president (Pokémon GO Club Animated Perspectives) organizing Anime Convention Brook Con acting multimedia editor at The Statesman playing basketball creating videos reading books during spare time.
Sean Gribbin contributed to this announcement.