FEATURES: TAMIU inducts new 2024 Royals
By Dora Guerrero
Bridge Staff Writer
Published Tuesday, April 2, 2024
An annual TAMIU tradition since 2011 and formerly called Mr. & Mrs. TAMIU, the TAMIU Royals recognizes two students who demonstrate the Dustdevil spirit. The TAMIU Royals election results ended TAMIU’s Spirit Week with a celebration of school pride as the winners were announced between the men’s and women’s basketball games against Oklahoma Christian University in the Kinesiology-Convocation Building’s gymnasium on Saturday, Feb. 10.
TAMIU Royals Rafael Contreras and Raiana Brown pose with their crowns and sashes on Feb. 27 in the Kinesiology – Convocation Building gymnasium.
The candidates said they believe they can represent TAMIU and prove their University pride by receiving the Royals title. For candidates Raiana Brown and Rafael Contreras, this opportunity was granted when they became the 2024-2025 TAMIU Royals.
Both students ran for Royals because they believed it was their responsibility as active campus members to show off their school spirit in a new way. Contreras said being a Royal “means you really care about your campus, your community, your university; you care about the connections you’ve made, and you care about spreading that into future generations.”
Understanding the responsibilities of their coronation, the new Royals said they were excited. Brown said the whole experience of being crowned as a Royal still felt surreal afterward.
“I’m so thankful for this opportunity,” Brown said. “I’m so grateful for everyone [who] came out and supported the TAMIU Royals candidacy as a whole and not just us. It really is an honor.
TAMIU Royals, center, Rafael Contreras and Raiana Brown pose with their crowns and sashes on Feb. 27 in the Kinesiology – Convocation Building gymnasium. Former Royals stand to either side: Mayela Villarreal, left, and Elena Cano, right.
“It’s something we can take with us after we graduate and it’s going to follow us after, spread that into wherever we may go.”
Following Spirit Week, TAMIU’s newest Royals prepare to continue showing their school pride and demonstrating their shared values, beliefs and school spirit for the rest of their reign.
“With TAMIU Royals, we are able to represent those values that make us who we are within this unique community we call a family,” Contreras said. “We really appreciate that opportunity.”
