2021 Homecoming King and Queen Spotlight

The 2021 Hardin-Simmons University Homecoming Queen is Abby Pounds ’22. Originally from Colleyville, Texas, Pounds will graduate from HSU this upcoming May, majoring in communication sciences and disorders.

Pounds has been extremely involved on campus and in the lives of many who attend HSU. From her role as a tour guide to her leadership position in Stampede, Pounds has had the opportunity to welcome new students onto the campus in very unique ways.

“I love connecting with students and getting to show them how much I love HSU,” Pounds shared. “I get to share my experience with them in the hope that they would get to experience it, too!”

Abby Pounds crowned by First Lady Elise Bruntmyer

Pounds also serves as an intern for the Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) and is a member of PACK.

“The BSM has been the most impactful organization of my college experience. It has challenged and supported me, and I’ve learned so much because of this ministry,” said Pounds. “PACK allows us to get involved in things bigger than ourselves. We serve families across the nation, who are struggling financially, spiritually, and physically due to having a child in the hospital. It’s so cool that we get to fundraise, raise awareness, and do leadership development on campus.”

Pounds will begin applying to graduate schools within the next few weeks in the hope to pursue a master’s degree in science. Through practicing speech pathology, Pounds intends to use her career to care for others and display the love of Christ.

“To me, speech pathology is such a tangible ministry,” she shared. “You’re giving somebody their voice back! That’s such a testament to the Lord.”

Pounds would like to thank Tanner Clarke, Director of Baptist Student Ministry, and P.J. Martinez, Director of Student Engagement and First Year Experience, for supporting her throughout her time at Hardin-Simmons. “Tanner and P.J. have believed in me, supported me, and challenged me. Both of these men helped me become the person I am today because they showed me what good leadership looks like,” said Pounds.

Both her mother and grandmother received Homecoming Queen titles when they attended school, so this award makes Pounds a third-generation homecoming queen.

“Winning Homecoming Queen helps me know that I’ve been loving on and connecting with people. Not perfectly, but it’s just a testament to how the Lord has truly transformed my life,” said Pounds.

Our 2021 Hardin-Simmons University Homecoming King is Tommy Beebe ’22. Beebe hails from Midland and is a strategic communication major.

Tommy Beebe crowned by President Eric Bruntmyer

On campus, Beebe is heavily involved with HSU Athletics as a social media coordinator and student worker with the Sports Information Director. At athletic events, you may see Beebe helping as a broadcaster, running the stadium sound for the baseball games, helping with statistics for teams, or curating social media posts. Beebe also serves as president for Gamma Beta Phi, plays intramural sports, and serves on the Stampede staff.

Beebe hopes to take his experiences from Hardin-Simmons and use them in the sports industry. “I’m excited to see where the Lord takes me,” shared Beebe. “Sometimes the future can be overwhelming, but I have peace about it because God is the one who holds my future.”

Beebe would like to thank a number of HSU faculty and staff members for their support throughout his college career, including Sports Information Director, Chad Grubbs. “Chad has been my mentor, go-to person, and one of my best friends in the whole world. He has given me an insight into the sports industry that I never would have learned and has allowed me to experience things that I wouldn’t have learned any other way,” said Beebe.

“It’s a huge honor to be recognized by the student body for winning Homecoming King, and I really want to thank them for voting for me. It was definitely the highlight of my college career,” stated Beebe. “I’m excited to come back for homecoming as an alumnus in the years to come and am excited for the future of HSU, as well as my own.”

2021 Homecoming Court