CUNE Royalty: Meet the 2018 Homecoming King and Queen

by April Bayer and Autumn Johnson

Seniors Tanner Shuck and Leah Mussell were crowned Concordia’s 2018 Homecoming King and Queen at the end of the annual variety show in Weller Auditorium on Wednesday night.

As homecoming weekend heads into full swing, here’s a few fun facts students might not know about their newly elected king and queen.

Shuck is from Grand Island, Nebraska and is majoring in secondary education with a math concentration. He is involved in men’s basketball, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and the Concordia Association of Students in Education (CASE). Here are some things Shuck’s classmates might not know about him.

What is a surprising fact about you?
“I once got six stitches in my head after running into a pillar at Disney World by the “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride. My family and I kind of got to go behind the scenes of the ride, and they gave me some free stuff, so it wasn’t too bad. I was six years old.”

If you actually had the power of royalty, what would your first decree to your subjects be?
“Everyone must watch all of the Marvel movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the “Lord of the Rings,” and “The Dark Knight.”

What are your plans after graduation?
“(To) attend graduate school and play my final year of basketball here at Concordia before finding a teaching job in who-knows-where after next year. For the time being, I’m not going anywhere.”

What would you like to say to the people who voted for you?
“I didn’t actually make the first shot in my video, so you really didn’t have to vote for me, but I appreciate the support nonetheless.”

What is your favorite part of life at Concordia?
“Opportunities to worship, grow in, and share Christ, along with the friends that I have met throughout my time here.”

What is your favorite part of homecoming week?
“Seeing all of the alumni that come back. It’s great to see some of my close friends that have already moved on to different places, and seeing the people that graduated longer ago that meet up with their old friends makes me think of times to come when I can come back and hopefully do the same.”

What is your favorite place you have traveled to?
“Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.”

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want to take with you?
“Jon Simonson, (who is) good company, (a) Harry Potter book set, (and a) Bible.”

Mussell is majoring in elementary education and is getting her Lutheran Teacher diploma. She calls Buffalo, Minnesota, home and plans to teach at a Lutheran school somewhere in the United States after she graduates. Here are some new things for students to learn about Mussell.

What is a surprising fact about you?
“I know how to wiggle my ears. I can also quote the entire movie of ‘National Treasure.’”

If you actually had the power of royalty, what would your first decree to your subjects be?
“I would make people speak Minnesotan, eh.”

What clubs or teams are you involved in?
“I am a photographer for the athletic department; member of the education club, CASE; track manager; and member of the Education Advisory Committee.”

What would you like to say to the people who voted for you?
“I am really not as horrible of a dancer as the video makes me seem.”

What is your favorite part of life at Concordia?
“I love the community aspect of this campus. There are so many people here willing to not only guide you but walk beside you in your walk with Christ. There is a reason why Concordia feels like a second home, because there are people working to make this university and the community of this university so great.”

What is your favorite part of homecoming week?
“Probably the sporting events that happen on Saturday because everyone has so much pride for Concordia.”

What is your favorite place you have traveled to?
“Some of my favorite places I have traveled to so far are Mackinac Island in Michigan with my family and the North Shore in Minnesota.”

If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want to take with you?
“Realistically, (a) mosquito net, solar powered lighter and water purifier. Not realistically, (a) jukebox, Neutral Grounds coffee and my mug collection.”