Get To Know UA's 2025 Homecoming Queen Candidates

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The University of Alabama recently announced five candidates for 2025 Homecoming queen.

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The announcement kicks off the next phase of homecoming activity, which will include candidate interviews and a student-vote and alum-vote process culminating in the crowning of the 2025 Homecoming Queen during the upcoming festivities.

Here's a look at the candidates and their submitted biographies:

Sydney Blackhurst

Junior from Gilbert, Arizona, majoring in accounting

"I’m Sydney Blackhurst, a junior from Gilbert, AZ, majoring in Accounting and a member of the UA Swim and Dive program. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to run for the 2025 Homecoming Queen. From the moment I came on campus, I’ve grown to love everything our university stands for, from traditions to innovations. As a student, I founded a nonprofit after facing my personal struggle with chronic illness and learned what it truly means to have others believe in you. The foundation teaches and advocates for, children with disabilities and chronic illnesses to swim, with a goal of helping them feel capable, confident, and believed in. Having the opportunity to represent our school through athletics, I turned my journey into a commitment to serve and inspire others. I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about titles, rather it’s about giving others the same belief that has been given to me, because everyone deserves the chance to be believed in! If given the opportunity to represent, I would support the UA Rise Center through the Homecoming Queen Endowed Impact Fund, helping children reach their potential and feel valued for who they are. It would be an honor to represent the university and community that has given me so much!"

Morgan Grzybowski

Senior from Wildwood, Missouri, majoring in biology

"I am so honored to be running to become the 2025 Homecoming Queen! My “why” began when my younger sister was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Overnight, her childhood became filled with needles and uncertainty. Walking beside her, I witnessed the power of empathy in helping someone feel seen and supported. That experience ignited my passion for medicine and my belief that compassion is one of the most powerful forms of leadership. That belief has shaped everything I’ve done at UA. Whether co-founding the Alabama Women’s Hockey Team to open doors for women in sports or leading Dare to Diagnose to show that empathy matters as much as medicine, I’ve learned that true impact is measured by how we care for others. I am running for Homecoming Queen to shine a light on the importance of health, wellness, and compassion in everyday life. We all face battles others may not see, and I want to remind students that caring for ourselves and one another builds a stronger community. To extend this message beyond campus, I would support Remote Area Medical UA through the Homecoming Queen Endowed Impact Fund. RAM provides medical care to underserved communities, reflecting the values I hope to represent: service, dignity, and care for all."

Carrington Mills

Senior from Pelham, majoring in chemical engineering

"The opportunity to serve as Homecoming Queen at the University of Alabama is more than a title. It is a promise to share The Capstone in its legendary status and how it molds young minds, including my own, into powerful individuals who make change, inspire greatness, and influence culture. Homecoming Queen, as Paul “Bear” Bryant would say, is to “show class, have pride, and display character.” These qualities, I exemplify, would be shown in the role of Homecoming Queen. In unison with veterans, student veterans, and dependents of those who have served in our armed forces, I aim to dedicate my platform as a civilian to the needs of these populations. As a dependent of a retired wartime veteran, I understand the sacrifices made by soldiers and the support needed for military families to sustain in the midst of integration into society after serving. If chosen as Homecoming Queen, I would utilize the Endowed Impact Fund to raise awareness about the Student Veterans Association and Veteran and Military Affairs, providing resources to support veteran suicide prevention. By dedicating my attention to the Student Veterans Association, I aim to pioneer veteran suicide education and support veterans central to our campus."

Rachel Rybicki

Senior from Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan, double-majoring in finance and economics with a minor in Spanish

"My name is Rachel Rybicki, I am a senior pursuing a degree with a double major in Finance and Economics, and a minor in Spanish. Having the opportunity to wear the Script A and represent our university as a member of the Women’s Gymnastics Team has been a huge honor. Service and leadership have shaped who I am as an individual. Connecting with others, serving them, and learning about their stories is something that I am very passionate about. My past 3 years in Tuscaloosa have been shaped by the time I have spent investing in the education of the students at Flatwoods Elementary. Education can provide so many opportunities, and my goal is to support children as they gain a foundational education to set them up for their futures. Everyone has a unique story, and every story deserves to be heard and valued. I am running for Homecoming Queen to be able to share my story with the hopes of inspiring others to find their purpose or passion. I hope to bring a spotlight to childhood education, service, and pursuing excellence in all areas. I have experienced and embraced the culture and community that we have here at The University of Alabama, and having the opportunity to run for Homecoming Queen and represent our Script A is an honor."

Crawford West

Senior from Birmingham, majoring in public health with a minor in sales

"Growing up an Alabama fan, I dreamed of one day being able to call myself a student at the university. This dream came true as I joined the Crimson Tide family as a student and athlete on the track and cross-country team. Through athletics, I have learned the true meaning of scholarship, leadership, character, and service — characteristics that are also valued as Homecoming Queen. If given the honor to serve as Queen, I would utilize my platform to support UA Paws, a student-organization that works with the Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter (TMAS). As someone who found their forever best friend from TMAS, I am incredibly passionate about the work that UA Paws does on campus. From connecting students to volunteer opportunities, fundraising for animal care, and promoting adoption are values that can make a huge impact in our community for both people and animals. I believe that the Endowed Impact Fund can increase resources and strengthen the partnership between UA and TMAS. Serving as Homecoming Queen would not only allow me to give back to the university that has given me a home as an athlete and a student, but also champion a cause that I know will benefit human and animal lives across Tuscaloosa."

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