University homecoming king from Archbold, queen from Wauseon; Bluffton's Jeremy Basinger junior attendant
Seniors Matthew McCoy of Archbold, and Gabrielle De La Cruz of Wauseon, were crowned Bluffton University’s Homecoming king and queen at halftime of the annual Homecoming football game on Oct. 4.
Other seniors in the Homecoming court were David Henderson of Lima; Trustworthy Ndlovu of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe; Jeremy Amstutz of White Pigeon, Mich.; and Megan Bontrager of Goshen, Ind.
Junior attendants were Jeremy Basinger of Bluffton; Hannah Krull of Lewisburg; and Megan Thomas of Bellefontaine, while sophomore attendants were Chad Gundy of Flanagan, Ill., and Natasha Yoder of Walnut Creek.
McCoy is majoring in accounting at Bluffton, with minors in information technology and mathematics. He is a C. Henry Smith Scholar and the president of Student Senate, as well as a library supervisor, hall chaplain, bass player in the chapel band and member of the student service organization SERVE. He is also a Tennis Club leader and participates in intramural athletics.
De La Cruz is a child development major, with minors in business administration and communication. She is also a hall chaplain and vice president/chaplain of the Multicultural Affairs Student Organization. In addition, she is active at campus radio station WBWH, as a tour guide and as a mentor in Project H.O.M.E. (Hope, Opportunity, Mentorship and Education).
A marketing and business administration major, Henderson is a member of the football team and an admissions office intern.
Ndlovu, a social work major and recreation management minor, is former vice president and current public relations officer of International Connection on campus. She is also a student assistant in the residence life office and a member of the Gospel Choir.
Majoring in marketing and business administration, Amstutz is president of the Bluffton University Business Leaders and a member of SERVE and the Ultimate Frisbee Club.
Bontrager is pursuing an early childhood education major with a fourth-grade and fifth-grade endorsement. She is vice president of the Bluffton Education Organization, a student ambassador and an admissions office and Welcome Center intern.
Basinger, a youth ministry and recreation major, is vice president of Student Senate.
Krull is also pursuing an early childhood education major with a fourth- and fifth-grade endorsement. She is a Bluffton Education Organization member and a women’s track and field team captain. She plays intramural volleyball as well, and has been a resident adviser for two years and an education department assistant for one year.
Thomas is double majoring in early childhood education and to become an intervention specialist. She is a member of the Bluffton Education Organization, a hall chaplain and a student ambassador, and is active in intramurals.
Majoring in math and information technology, Gundy is a resident adviser, a member of Camerata Singers and a participant in intramurals.
Yoder is an early childhood education major who works in food service/catering at Marbeck Center.
Photo cutline: Gabrielle De La Cruz, Bluffton University’s 2014 Homecoming queen, has her sash pinned by Lindsay Krohn, one of the two 2013 queens and a 2014 Bluffton graduate. Looking on are this year’s Homecoming king, Matthew McCoy (front), and 2013 king Neil Macke.
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, October 9, 2026
Thursday, October 8, 2026
- Ada Icon headlines on Thursday, October 8
- St. John Bible Church to host "Refocus on Purpose" workshop
- Royal riches: Gout
- October 8 Bluffton Schools athletics lineup, streaming
- Has Bluffton made a birder out of you?
- BPL Afterschool activity: Curious Kids Club
- Book and pizza tasting at Bluffton Public Library
- Final 50 for 250 performance at BPL
- Walking through the Suter Corn Maze
- Resident feedback sought for Regional Transportation Plan
- Bluffton University honors three for service, achievement and leadership
Wednesday, October 7, 2026
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
- Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting, Friday, Oct. 9
- Fire extinguished at SRK Industries, plant resumed operation same day
- Bluffton girls tie Grove in NWC showdown
- Pirate volleyball falls to powerhouse Patriots
- BHS GOAT: Latin teacher Margaret Weaver
- Library patrons invited to showcase their collections or causes
- September 2026 land transfers in the Bluffton school district