Story 58 - Homecoming Royalty: Ripples Across Campus

University of Nebraska Lincoln’s Homecoming Royalty honors those making significant contributions to the campus community. Through academics, athletics, and involvements, individuals self-nominate and complete an application and interview process. This Saturday, three NHRI mentors will take the field as Homecoming royalty finalists: Charlie Brockmeier, Sophie Thomas and Palmer Wright.

Over the years, dozens of NHRI mentors have been recognized as candidates as well as numerous Queens and Kings. Why is this? We can proudly say it is because NHRI mentors are naturally driven to generously share their time, talents, and treasures with others. Our research shows it. An NHRI mentor is not just an NHRI mentor. They are usually the ones serving in additional leadership roles across campus, continuously increasing NHRI’s impact. For 75 years NHRI Leadership Mentors have significantly contributed to a positive campus environment, benefiting individual students and the larger university community.

Let’s all cheer on Charlie, Sophie and Palmer this Saturday, October 5 when they take the field at halftime of the Nebraska vs Rutgers Homecoming game!

Charlie Brockmeier, Sophie Thomas, Palmer Wright

Charlie Brockmeier, Teenage Project and Staff Advisor for JP South Project, finance and accounting major (Raikes School) from Kearney, Nebraska

“The most defining aspect of my college experience has been the time I’ve poured into campus organizations like NHRI. Being surrounded by incredible leaders across campus has truly shaped who I am today, and I know the lessons I’ve learned will stay with me for life. What sets me apart is my deep passion for leadership and my belief in leaving things better than I found them. To me, that’s the greatest way to give back. I am genuinely grateful for everyone who has played a role in this journey, it’s their support that has made my experience unforgettable.”

Sophie Thomas, JP South Project, marketing and management major,, from Lakeville, Minnesota

“NHRI has impacted my college experience by connecting me to the Lincoln community, introducing me to other like-minded friends on campus, and allowing me to better understand myself and my values. My biggest accomplishment within NHRI has been building my relationship with my mentee, Sage. Seeing Sage go from being hesitant and reserved at the start of our relationship to being open and bubbly has been incredible. I take pride in knowing that I’m positively impacting Sage. For her, I strive to be someone my younger self would’ve looked up to.

I adore the community I’ve built within NHRI. Each person values connection, commitment, and service. My accomplishments and experiences within NHRI don’t fit as easily on a piece of paper but instead show through the friendships and relationships I’ve built. ”

Palmer Wright, Teenage Project, biological sciences major, from Omaha, Nebraska

“Being in NHRI has helped me immensely as a leader in FarmHouse. The foundation of NHRI is interpersonal relationships, and my role as chapter president is to utilize interpersonal relationships to help every member reach their full potential. Being in NHRI has given me the skills and toolset to effectively communicate with chapter members, university officials, and alumni. Another part of being chapter president is having tough conversations with members when they need to be held accountable. NHRI has greatly prepared me to have these conversations.”

Laine Norton, PALS Project, 2006 Homecoming Queen

Brett Stohs and Lisa Enstrom Glathar, PALS Project, 2000 Homecoming

Morgan Holen, Park Project and Sydney Mickells, East Project, 2018 Homecoming

Ethan Carlson and Riley Knust, LDP Lincoln High, 2021 Homecoming

“Homecoming King was the only feasible way for me to be on the football field during a Husker game in college, fulfilling a childhood dream! I came to UNL as an out-of-state freshman who didn’t know a single person, and I give much credit to NHRI for giving me the tools and training to build meaningful relationships among peers at UNL. The motions of learning names, asking questions and actively listening, finding hot buttons, etc. was a playbook I used over and over and over and it created a wonderful depth to the relationships I had and meaningfully added to my college experience.”

— Jack Ehrke, Childs Project, 2010 Homecoming King