UK 2025 Homecoming royalty crowned

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 14, 2025) — Carson Kitts and Olivia Kitts were crowned 2025 University of Kentucky Homecoming king and queen Tuesday night. 

Carson Kitts, from Lexington, is a sport communication senior in the UK College of Communication and Information, with minors in English, music history and theory, and music performance. He is a four-year member of the UK Wildcat Marching Band and pep band. He is also a member of both Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Pi Kappa Phi fraternities on campus, as well as an involved in Fraternity and Sorority Life. He is the son of Carey and Mary Kitts.

Olivia Kitts, from Nicholasville, Kentucky, is a clinical leadership and management senior in the UK College of Health Sciences, also pursuing a certificate in business. She currently serves as vice president of the Epsilon Omega chapter of Kappa Delta Sorority, an ambassador of the College of Health Sciences and as a resident advisor. Kitts is also the social media coordinator for DanceBlue, helping raise awareness and funds for the DanceBlue Hematology/Oncology Clinic. Additionally, she serves as director of marketing for the Student Government Association and leads a Life Group for middle school girls. She is the daughter of Tim and Stephanie Kitts.

This year, for the first time, the crowning of the UK Homecoming king and queen took place during the Homecoming Royalty Showcase at the Gatton Student Center. This new event gives the entire Homecoming court the opportunity to be celebrated in one place with friends, family and the campus community. Also being recognized at the Homecoming Royalty Showcase are registered student organizations who hosted programs as well as those who nominated Homecoming court candidates. 

In addition to the showcase, the court will be featured throughout the week on social media and will also be recognized during Keeneland's Big Blue Day, the Homecoming Alumni Tailgate and Saturday night’s UK vs. Texas football game at Kroger Field. A framed photo of this year’s court will also be displayed in the Center for Student Involvement trophy case until next year’s court is selected — also a new tradition.

Carson Kitts, from Lexington, is a sport communication senior in the UK College of Communication and Information, with minors in English, music history and theory, and music performance. He is a four-year member of the UK Wildcat Marching Band and pep band. He is also a member of both Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Pi Kappa Phi fraternities on campus, as well as an involved in Fraternity and Sorority Life. He is the son of Carey and Mary Kitts.

Olivia Kitts, from Nicholasville, Kentucky, is a clinical leadership and management senior in the UK College of Health Sciences, also pursuing a certificate in business. She currently serves as vice president of the Epsilon Omega chapter of Kappa Delta Sorority, an ambassador of the College of Health Sciences and as a resident advisor. Kitts is also the social media coordinator for DanceBlue, helping raise awareness and funds for the DanceBlue Hematology/Oncology Clinic. Additionally, she serves as director of marketing for the Student Government Association and leads a Life Group for middle school girls. She is the daughter of Tim and Stephanie Kitts.

The other finalists for Homecoming king and queen include:

• Jackson Baird, from Taylorsville, Kentucky, an agricultural economics and sport communication senior in the Lewis Honors College. On campus he is involved in the Student Government Association serving as the student body vice president. He is also a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, the DanceBlue Morale Committee and the Agricultural Economics quiz bowl team. After college, Jackson hopes to attend law school and further his education. He is the son of Sharon and Bland Baird.
   
• Max Libby, from McKinney, Texas, a finance and management senior with a minor in international business. Though he grew up in four different states, Kentucky has always been home, with nine family members attending UK. Libby has studied abroad in Costa Rica, interned in Barcelona and identified $358 million in growth opportunities this past summer. On campus, he serves as Interfraternity Council president, has served on DanceBlue for three years, and led a record-breaking Student Government campaign.
   
• Brady Steele, from Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, a political science and law and justice senior. On campus, Steele serves as president of Kappa Alpha Pi, UK’s pre-law fraternity, and as director of public relations for the Student Philanthropy Board. He is also a College of Arts and Sciences Student Ambassador. Steele has completed internships with the U.S. Senate, the Kentucky Democratic Party and Keeneland. He plans to attend law school to continue serving his community and advocating for others. He is the son of Chris and Jennifer Steele.
   
• Michael Wheeler, from Louisville, a finance, management and economics senior. Wheeler currently serves as chief of staff for the Student Government Association and vice president of operations and finance for the Interfraternity Council. He is president-emeritus of Phi Kappa Tau and co-founder of the SeriousFun Volunteers Club. Wheeler is passionate about philanthropy, student leadership and preparing students for life after college, and he hopes to continue serving others well beyond his time at UK. He is the son of Tim and Tracy Wheeler.
   
• Kennedy Cox, from Nicholasville, Kentucky, a biology and psychology senior. During college, Cox has had many opportunities to serve her community, which inspired her passion for supporting the health and well-being of her neighbors and led her to pursue a career in medicine. Cox is excited to begin her studies at the UK College of Medicine in the fall of 2026, after completing her undergraduate degrees this May. She is the daughter of Eric and Jessica Cox.
   
• Morgan David, from Louisville, an integrated strategic communication senior. At UK, she has served as president of the Student Alumni Association and as an Alumni Ambassador. She has also served as marketing chair for DanceBlue, worked in UK Campus Recreation, and is involved in her sorority. She gained professional experience as an intern at Heaven Hill Brands and is a recipient of multiple academic and service awards. She is the daughter of Blaise and Stephanie David.
   
• McKenna Dowell, from Louisville, a political science and history senior in the Lewis Honors College. She currently serves as student body president and as a trustee on UK’s Board of Trustees. Her leadership spans campus, including roles on the Panhellenic Council, ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences, and captain for Alpha Delta Pi’s DanceBlue team. Dowell has also interned with state senators, congressmen and the state's governor. She has plans to attend law school, inspired by the leadership and opportunities the University of Kentucky has provided.  She is the daughter of Mark and MeLinda Dowell.
   
• Siena Pilati, a from Canton, Ohio, a public policy senior in the Lewis Honors College, also pursuing a certificate in artificial intelligence. Pilati is passionate about public service and civic engagement and works through the Student Government Association and Cats Vote Coalition to ensure UK students are civically engaged, educated and empowered. Outside of class, she shares her love of UK with prospective students as a UK tour guide. Post-graduation, Pilati hopes to remain in Lexington and work in local government or nonprofits. She is the daughter to Diane and Dave Pilati.

Learn more about UK's Homecoming and see a full schedule of events by visiting https://homecoming.uky.edu/.