All hail UMD's new royalty!

King and Queen, Phil and Hilja Nast, Photo by Diane Oyler

Every year during homecoming, University for Seniors (U for Seniors) participates in the homecoming parade. University for Seniors is a group of over 350 students at UMD. They are students over the age of 50 that meet on the top floor of Kirby Plaza and study multiple topics that interest them.

Students of U for Seniors attend the homecoming parade holding banners and waving at the passing crowd.

This year is the first time University for Seniors has crowned a homecoming king and queen.

Hilja and Phil Nast, this year’s queen and king, will be riding in a Mercedes convertible throughout the parade.

“It’s their chariot,” said U for Seniors member Kathy Carlson.

According to homecoming committee member Anita Campbell, Hilja and Phil will truly be treated like royalty. They will be adorned with sashes and crowns and the queen will wear white gloves.

“They’re practicing their waves,” Campbell said.

Hilja and Phil have both been involved with U for Seniors for over 12 years. Hilja leads a Tai Chi class every quarter. Among her many other interests are world travel, literature, film, folk dancing and caring for animals. Phil is an Army veteran who is also a student of history and politics. He has taught several courses related to World War II at U for Seniors.

Make sure to wave at UMD’s royalty during the homecoming parade on University Drive this Saturday at 10 a.m.