photo courtesy of Annie Anderson
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Janiyla Busby as the 2026 AUM Homecoming Queen and Mar’Derious Flowers as the 2026 Homecoming King during halftime of the Homecoming basketball.
“I am very shocked that I even won. But one thing I did do, no matter where, I went out and talked to everyone. I am so grateful to win,” said Janiyla in an interview with AUM Strategic Communications,
Mar’Derious said, “ As my last year here, I took the initiative to run for homecoming king. I think it would be my last position to hold here on campus,”
The announcement followed a week of Homecoming events and student voting. Students cast their ballots late in the week to determine the winners of the annual tradition, which recognizes leadership, campus involvement and school spirit.
Busby and Flowers were introduced alongside other members of the Homecoming Court before the final results were revealed. The crowning took place in front of a crowd of students, alumni and faculty gathered inside the AUM Athletics Complex.
Homecoming Court candidates were nominated by campus organizations and were required to meet eligibility standards set by the university, including academic and enrollment requirements.
University officials say the Homecoming Court remains a longstanding campus tradition designed to highlight student engagement and involvement.
