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Homecoming Ceremony Leads to Proposal for Marketing Student

Homecoming Ceremony Leads to Proposal for Marketing Student
Homecoming royalty wave to cheering Husker crowd after proposal.
College of Business student Shayne Arriola turned his crowning achievement as homecoming king of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln into an extra special engagement by taking a knee and proposing to the queen. Arriola and fellow Nebraska student, Laura Springer got engaged in front of 90,000 cheering fans at halftime of the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game at Memorial Stadium. The homecoming ceremony and surprise engagement highlighted a weekend of festivities marked by Nebraska’s 150 years of statehood.

“I knew it was a possibility that we could both be crowned, but it was an absolute surprise that it actually happened. I planned on only proposing if we both won because I wanted it to be a special moment for us and did not want to overshadow any other candidate,” said Arriola. “Fortunately, we were both crowned, and I received the amazing opportunity to propose to my best friend, a dream come true for both of us.”  

Arriola, majoring in marketing with minors in economics and psychology, earned the most votes from Nebraska students via an election process through MyRed. His service as president of the Interfraternity Council and the Nebraska Union Board, as well as his membership in the Undergraduate Certificate Program in Sales Excellence, Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, the Student Alumni Association and Mortar Board, all helped give him the credentials to represent his class as king of homecoming.

Arriola proposes to Springer after homecoming ceremonies.
Arriola proposes to Springer after homecoming ceremonies.
Both Arriola and Springer grew up in Grand Island. They dated for three-and-a-half years after meeting each other at Grand Island Northwest High School.

“Proposing to her on the field and being able to share the moment with our friends and family will be an experience I won’t forget,” said Arriola. “The roar and excitement from everyone made it even more memorable.”

In all, seven of the 20 homecoming royalty finalists study in the College of Business. Other College of Business homecoming royalty finalists included:
  • Olivia Beier, accounting and economics major, Omaha, Nebraska
  • Olivia Bond, economics major, Omaha, Nebraska
  • Alex Fernando, business administration and broadcasting major, Jefferson, South Dakota
  • Said-Nuriddin Makhmudzoda, finance major, Khujand, Tajikistan
  • Brianna Ridenour, management major with an emphasis in human resources, Alliance, Nebraska
  • Camille Sippel, economics major, Groton, South Dakota
 The proposal went viral on social media and was featured on FoxSports.com. Watch the proposal at: http://www.foxsports.com/college-football/video/1053522499663.
Published: October 3, 2017