71 year old NSU homecoming queen candidate

Thursday, September 22nd 2005, 10:00 am

By: News On 6

This week is homecoming week at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah. There are block parties, the homecoming parade and the big football game against East Central University.

Of course, there are many students vying for homecoming queen. As News on 6 anchor Craig Day tells us, this isn't your ordinary homecoming queen race.

Itâ€™s a college campus tradition. Homecoming week is always full of activity. At Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, five homecoming queen candidates are stumping for votes.

"My name is Amanda Hoffman, Hi."

"My name is Tory; I'm running for homecoming queen. I really appreciate it."

"Vote for me Martha Bacon, homecoming queen. Thank you."

There are handshakes, signs and candy that you would find with any campaign, but this race is a little different. Tori Woods: "It's a lot bigger this year. It's been interesting. It's been very interesting."

More interesting because at 71, Muriel Saunders isn't your typical homecoming queen candidate. "Since I'm a student I thought, well why not? So I'm running for homecoming queen." And there's no doubt about it, Saunders makes this year's race more interesting.

Her closest competitor, as far as age goes, is Tiffany Lewis, a 27 year old mother of two. "It's impact me to strive for what I want in life and live life to the fullest and you're never too old to do what you want to accomplish."

Saunders first enrolled in college in the early 50's, but didn't finish because she got married and had children. A half century later, she went back to campus and graduated with an associates and bachelor's degree. Now Saunders is in graduate school and should finish in May. But for now, she's focused on the race and sending a message that age shouldn't hinder goals. "I thought that it would say something to the rest of the people out there who are around my age that think they are too old to do things. I want them to know they are never too old to do anything they want to do. They just have to get up and do it.â€

Saunders says there has been some criticism about her being a homecoming queen candidate, but she says after 11 years on the Muskogee School Board, she's used to criticism.

The homecoming queen will be announced at halftime of this weekend's NSU football game.