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Dickinson State University has announced its 2026 Homecoming Royal Court nominees, recognizing eight students who represent Blue Hawk pride, involvement and community.

Homecoming is a longstanding tradition at Dickinson State, bringing students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members together to celebrate their connection to the university. Each year, DSU celebrates Homecoming with a week of festivities, including the Homecoming parade, pep rally, tailgate and football game. The selection of the Homecoming king and queen is a key part of the celebration and recognizes students who are active members of the university community.

The 2026 Homecoming king nominees are James Seekins, Brett Stentoft, Grayson Beaudrie and Tucker Fiene. Homecoming queen nominees are Kaylee Kinsey, Ashley Pinto-Melendez, Taytum Stuhr and Kylie Zeller.

Homecoming King nominees

James Seekins is a senior accounting major from Glasgow, Montana. His favorite Homecoming tradition is the football game and halftime celebrations. For Seekins, being a Blue Hawk means contributing to a welcoming DSU community, giving back to others and putting his best effort into everything he does. His favorite DSU memory is attending and representing the university at the FBLA National Leadership Conference in Las Vegas. On campus, Seekins serves as vice president of Student Senate and vice president of Blue Hawk Catholic and is a member of the Campus Activities Board and FBLA. He hopes to leave DSU with strong relational and leadership skills, preparation for his professional career and lasting memories.

Brett Stentoft is a senior agricultural business major from Froid, Montana. His favorite Homecoming tradition is the pep rally. Stentoft said being a Blue Hawk is about being part of a large family, noting the welcoming and supportive atmosphere he experienced from the time he first stepped onto campus. One of his favorite DSU memories is defeating Kansas Wesleyan at the Hank. He is involved in football and Range Club. Stentoft hopes to take with him the knowledge he has gained from his professors and coaches, along with the relationships he has built during his time at DSU.

Grayson Willis Beaudrie is a senior physical and health education major with minors in special education and leadership from Cody, Wyoming. His favorite Homecoming tradition is the pep rally, where he enjoys seeing the Blue Hawk community come together and show its support. For Beaudrie, being a Blue Hawk means becoming the best version of yourself while being part of a community committed to growth, support and giving back. Some of his favorite DSU memories have come from traveling and competing with the men’s wrestling team. Beaudrie is involved in men’s wrestling, Blue Hawk Catholic, the Theodore Roosevelt Honors Leadership Program and the education department and has served on the residence life staff for three years. He hopes to carry the grit, determination and service leadership he has developed at DSU into his future career and life.

Tucker Fiene is a junior history education major from Wood Lake, Minnesota. His favorite Homecoming tradition is the parade. Fiene said being a Blue Hawk means striving to be the best version of yourself professionally, athletically and socially. His favorite DSU memory is the 2025 conference championship basketball game. He is involved in Phi Alpha Theta and men’s wrestling and hopes to leave Dickinson State with good friends and good memories.

Homecoming Queen nominees

Kaylee Kinsey is a senior agriculture business major from Bowman, North Dakota. Her favorite Homecoming tradition is the parade, particularly seeing the floats created by DSU clubs and organizations. Kinsey said being a Blue Hawk means being part of a community that shows up for one another and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Her favorite DSU memory is playing mini golf with Ag Club during her junior year. She is involved in Ag and Range Club and hopes to take with her the friendships and connections she has made throughout her time at Dickinson State.

Ashley Pinto-Melendez is a senior nursing major from Dickinson, North Dakota. Her favorite Homecoming traditions include Homecoming Week, the tailgate and parade. For Pinto-Melendez, being a Blue Hawk means being part of a supportive community that makes DSU feel like home while also giving back to that community. Some of her favorite DSU memories are the friendships and experiences she has gained through Blue Hawk Catholic, where she serves as a student leader. She also enjoys participating in DSU student events. Pinto-Melendez hopes to leave Dickinson State with meaningful friendships, resilience, lifelong memories, a deeper trust in the Lord and a reminder to enjoy every moment.

Taytum Stuhr is a junior accounting major from Gila Bend, Arizona. Her favorite part of Homecoming is seeing students, faculty, families and alumni show their school spirit and celebrate what it means to be a Blue Hawk. Stuhr said being a Blue Hawk means opportunity. She credits DSU with giving her opportunities to continue competing in athletics, pursue an accounting education, compete nationally through Collegiate FBLA and gain real-world experience. Her favorite DSU memory is traveling with the cross-country team to its first meet of the season in South Dakota, an experience that brought the team closer together. Stuhr is involved in FBLA, cross-country and track and field. She hopes to leave DSU with her accounting degree, lifelong friendships, great memories and an appreciation for the people who have made Dickinson feel like home.

Kylie Zeller is a senior history major and Dickinson native. Her favorite Homecoming tradition is the parade. Zeller said being a Blue Hawk means giving back to the community that helped shape her while continuing that legacy for others. Her favorite DSU memory is helping create and perform in The Foreigner, which she described as the beginning of rebuilding DSU’s theater program. Zeller serves as president of the Blue Hawk Theatre Guild and participates in band, choir and art club. She hopes to carry forward the spirit of camaraderie she has found at DSU, along with the friendships she has made during her time at the university.

Voting for the 2026 Homecoming Royal Court is scheduled for Sept. 23-30. DSU’s 2026 Homecoming football game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Henry Biesiot Activities Center.