Andrea Ashburn and Zorian Burley: 2023 Queen & King

The 2023 Hardin-Simmons University Homecoming Queen is senior Andrea Ashburn. Originally from Mcallen, Texas, she will soon graduate with a pre-physical therapy major and a double minor in health sciences and honors. After graduation, she will pursue a doctorate in physical therapy. 

Andrea with her father, Dr. Colin Ashburn.

Andrea is incredibly involved in clubs and organizations on campus: She serves as the President of the Student Activities Board, Captain of HScrU, Vice President of the Honors Council, Secretary of the Pre-Physical Therapy Club, and is a member of the Steering Committee for Stampede, Sangre, Residence Life, Student Life, and an HSU Ambassador on social media.  

“I love everything I do and all the people I have met,” Andrea explained. “I love that you are more than a number on campus; you truly get to build relationships with your professors, staff members, and peers.” 

Of all the people she has met on campus, Andrea would like to recognize Mrs. Megan McKinney, Director of Student Engagement. “I could not be where I am today without her, and I am forever honored and thankful to have her in my life,” she said. “To know Megan is to love her, and I am so grateful to love her as my “mom,” sister, and best friend all in one.” 

Andrea has a lot of memories she will be taking with her after graduation, and she shared that the most significant lesson she learned is to live life day by day. “Life is about making memories and meeting the best people, and this is exactly what I did at HSU! I made amazing memories with amazing people.” 

On winning Homecoming Queen, she said, “Winning Homecoming Queen made me feel very honored and happy. I am grateful for this opportunity, and it was super sweet of people to choose me. I felt super loved by everyone around me, and I would have been happy for anyone to have won.” 

Zorian with his mother, Stacey Burley, celebrating.

The 2023 Hardin-Simmons University Homecoming King is senior Zorian Burley. Originally from Red Oak, Texas, he will graduate in May with a major in English and a minor in writing.  

Zorian is active in many parts of Hardin-Simmons University: he is the President of HSU Proven, Vice President of Zeta Omega Phi, Co-Director for Freshman Sing, part of the track team and cheer team, and has been an HSU Wrangler for three years. 

He wants to credit Thomas Myers, Zach Mitchel, and Javarian Belcha for being his best friends, major motivators in his life, and positive male influences. Most importantly, he would like to credit his mother: “She showed me what it means to push through so much with so little given to her.” 

Zorian loves the community on campus and helping those in need; in particular, he enjoys working with first-year students. He also shared that he admires that all the staff, including the president and vice presidents, walk among the students and are open to talking to them. “No one at HSU will tear you down without building you up.” He adds that he loves the presence of Christ on campus, which he feels within the community. 

Humorously, he had been mistakenly nominated for Homecoming King last year and had to take himself off the ballot since he was a junior at the time. Having gained the drive to become Homecoming King this year, he was glad that he could accomplish this goal. 

His fondest memories of HSU are taking part in HSU Stampede, becoming Homecoming King, and helping first-year students get their bearings on campus through his work as a Wrangler. What he would like to remember most, however, is that HSU is a community of love and that he will always have a home on campus even after he becomes an alumnus.