Organized by Blue Key National Honor Society since 1934, Winter Carnival started in 1922 and has grown into one of the biggest annual winter celebrations in the nation. Known for huge, intricate snow statues around campus and the community, Carnival also brings Huskies together to compete in broomball, comedy skits, human ice bowling, and a queen coronation.
Congratulations to Army ROTC overall Winter Carnival 2020 winners!
First Place Men's: Army ROTC
Second Place Men's: Phi Kappa Tau
Third Place Men's: Guardians of the North
First Place Women's: Alpha Sigma Tau
Second Place Women's: Society of Women Engineers
Third Place Women's: Omega Chi Epsilon, Chemical Engineering Honors Society
First Place Co-ed: St. Albert the Great
Second Place Co-ed: Alpha Gamma Delta and Sigma Tau Gamma
Third Place Co-ed: Theta Chi Epsilon and Beta Sigma Theta
First Place: Phi Kappa Tau; Second Place: Tau Kappa Epsilon; Third Place: Sigma Tau Gamma and Alpha Gamma Delta;
First Place: Phi Kappa Tau; Second Place: Tau Kappa Epsilon; Third Place: Delta Sigma Phi;
Phi Kappa Tau
Tau Kappa Epsilon
Delta Sigma Phi
Army ROTC
Guardians of the North
First Place: Alpha Sigma Tau;
First Place: Sigma Tau Gamma and Alpha Gamma Delta; Second Place: Sigma Phi Epsilon and Delta Phi Epsilon; Third Place: Delta Zeta and Triangle;
Sigma Tau Gamma and Alpha Gamma Delta
Sigma Phi Epsilon and Delta Phi Epsilon
Delta Zeta and Triangle
Theta Chi Epsilon and Beta Sigma Theta
Four Wheelers at Michigan Tech
First Place: St. Albert the Great; Second Place: Pavlis Honors College; Third Place: Lutheran Campus Ministry ELCA;
First Place: Society of American Foresters; Second Place: Society of African-American Men; Third Place: Mama's Boys (4th Floor East McNair);
Society of American Foresters
Society of African-American Men
Mama's Boys (4th Floor East McNair)
Tollhouse
Strange Crew
First Place: Society of Women Engineers;
First Place: St. Albert the Great; Second Place: Pavlis Honors College; Third Place: Lutheran Campus Ministry ELCA;
St. Albert the Great
Pavlis Honors College
Lutheran Campus Ministry ELCA
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Olympus Hall
Lutheran Collegians
Film Board
Citadel
Cru
MTU College Business
Nightclub
SWIET Hall
3rd Floor East McNair
Wildlife Society and Women in Natural Resources
Douglass Houghton Hall
Armada
Hyrule
The Lode
Study Abroad Office
CSM/His House
Sailing Club of Michigan Tech
Copper Country Coders
Mafia-Utopia-Valhalla
Alpha Psi Omega
Shark Pack, Powerhouse, West End Girls
The Agency
It was brought to the attention of Blue Key Honor Society that the previously crowned 2020 Winter Carnival Queen displayed inappropriate behavior following the Coronation. This behavior does not represent the values of Winter Carnival, Blue Key, and Michigan Technological University. The Winter Carnival Queen embodies a well-rounded, confident, and talented individual who showcases the importance of scholarship, community, and character. In light of this, Riley Simpson has been crowned the 2020 Winter Carnival Queen. Blue Key would like to emphasize that the Winter Carnival Queen Coronation will remain an inclusive event, open to all students.
Hello! I'm a fourth-year mechanical engineering student from the Chicago suburbs, and am beyond excited to represent Guardians of the North as their Queens finalist! During my time at Michigan Tech, I have had the honor of participating in a myriad of Winter Carnival activities, with snow statue and broomball as personal favorites. In my free time, you can catch me hiking and camping, flying small airplanes around the northwoods, playing drums, and 3D printing. Michigan Tech has provided me with many opportunities to invest in my community and my AFROTC Wing by volunteering and taking different leadership positions. When I graduate, I will commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force, and learn how to fly cargo planes, a long-term dream. As I begin my career serving our country, I will continue to cherish the opportunities and connections provided by Michigan Tech. I have loved every second of my time in Houghton, and I want to thank Blue Key for this amazing opportunity. I wish you all a happy Winter Carnival!
I am a fourth-year undergraduate student from Holt, Michigan, studying biochemistry and molecular biology in the pre-health professions program. In my time at Michigan Tech, I have had the pleasure to serve as the Captain of Operations for Michigan Tech Emergency Medical Services (EMS), be a peer health advocate/wellness student, and participate in many different organizations such as Order of Omega, Phi Sigma, Alpha Epsilon Delta, MTU Women’s Rugby Club, Biochemistry Club, and as a Love Your Melon ambassador. On top of mentoring peers as a success coach, I have also held leadership positions within my sorority, Theta Chi Epsilon, serving as the scholarship chair, health and wellness chair, song chair, computer administrator, as well as assistant social. I spend most of my time exploring and photographing all the Keweenaw has to offer, even if that means getting lost, due to my lack of directional sense and map reading capabilities. Otherwise I can be found at the Student Development Complex working out or participating in various intramural sports. My favorite memories at Tech are surrounded by friends, family, and experiences that only this community can offer. Not only is Winter Carnival a time to celebrate ridiculous amounts of snowfall, but most importantly it brings Huskies from all walks of life together. I am honored to be a candidate for this years Queens Competition, sponsored by Theta Chi Epsilon and Beta Sigma Theta.
Happy Winter Carnival! I am a third-year mechanical engineering student from Bloomington, Illinois. I am delighted to represent St. Albert the Great University Parish as a finalist in this year’s Queens competition. Like most Tech students, I love hiking and exploring – both before and after the snow falls. Some other favorite activities include swing dancing, painting, drinking coffee, and reading. While I am no Olympian, I try to find every excuse to hit the slopes at Mont Ripley and am looking forward to my first Mount Bohemia escapade. On campus I am involved in Tau Beta Pi, an engineering honor society, and serve as the secretary of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. I also serve on St. Al’s Pastoral Council as our worship ministry leader. During past Winter Carnivals, you could find me playing snow soccer, acting in Stage Revue, and madly slushing the All-Nighter statue. I am excited to enjoy these activities once again, as well as the new experience of running for Winter Carnival Queen. Thank you for your continued support. Have a wonderful Winter Carnival!
Hello and happy Winter Carnival! I’m a fourth-year mechanical engineering student from Kalamazoo, Michigan, and I’m honored to represent Delta Zeta and Triangles as a Queens Finalist. Michigan Tech was my first home away from home, and because of that I have great respect for our community and traditions. Since coming to Tech I have been part of Mitch’s Misfits and attended every hockey game, been an active member of Delta Zeta, played broomball and various intramurals, and been in just about every Winter Carnival activity making Queens as an added bonus. I have also worked at the Multipurpose Room desk in the Student Development Complex. Outside of Michigan Tech’s campus you have probably seen me serving coffee at Biggby or heading to CrossFit, and petting just about every dog I walk by. I love being active in and around our campus and want to thank everyone who has supported me. I hope you all have the best Winter Carnival!
Hey everyone! I am a third-year accounting and finance student from Escanaba, Michigan. I am so excited and honored to be representing Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. On any given day, you can find me somewhere on campus either studying in the library, recruiting for my sorority, or playing my flute in the Superior Wind Symphony. I am involved in a variety of activities and organizations including Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority, Order of Omega Honor Society, MUB Board, Finance Club, Accounting Club, and the Applied Portfolio Management Program. This past fall, I had the privilege of being an Orientation Team Leader for the Waino Wahtera Center, and a Rho Gamma for formal sorority recruitment. Since coming to Michigan Tech, I have absolutely fallen in love with the campus, climate, and community, and enjoy exploring the Keweenaw in my free time! Some of my interests and hobbies include listening to true crime podcasts, skating (but mostly falling) with friends, and watching MTU hockey. I always look forward to Winter Carnival and am super excited to be competing in Queens this year! I would like to thank my sponsor, Tau Kappa Epsilon, and everyone who has supported me through my MTU career. Go Huskies!
Hi, I am currently a fourth-year civil engineering transfer student, and am grateful to have this opportunity to represent Michigan Tech. The most exciting part for me is the chance to experience a new side of Winter Carnival, beyond all the activities provided for the community during this weekend. With participating in the Queen's competition, I have the chance to get back on the stage and show my peers the ballet training I have received. At school, I spend my time participating in MindTrekkers, American Society of Civil Engineers, and the marketing committee for the Memorial Union Board. Michigan Tech has provided me with many opportunities to enrich my education and college experience, which makes becoming a Queens finalist another means of expanding who I am as a person. Outside of school, I enjoy focusing on my health and nutrition, spending quality time with my family and dog, and exploring the Upper Peninsula. I am honored with this opportunity as a finalist, and excited to create such a unique memory.
Happy Winter Carnival 2020! I am a fifth-year mechanical engineering student from Howell, Michigan. I am very excited to represent Alpha Gamma Delta and Sigma Tau Gamma as a Queens finalist! Although I am not from Houghton, I have spent a lot of my childhood and adolescence visiting the Keweenaw to see my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins in the area. I enjoy snowboarding, hiking frozen waterfalls, playing broomball, and singing. While at Michigan Tech, I have been a member of the Michigan Tech Chamber Choir, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers, Engineering Ambassadors, and Alpha Gamma Delta. I have also worked as a campus tour guide and an orientation team leader. I enjoy giving back to the community by volunteering for 31 Backpacks, participating in Michigan Tech’s Make a Difference Day, and walking dogs at the Copper Country Humane Society. I want to thank everyone for supporting me, especially my local sponsor Celebrations Bridal and Formal, and my organization sponsors Alpha Gamma Delta and Sigma Tau Gamma. I hope everyone has a fun and safe Winter Carnival!
I’d love to be your Winter Carnival Queen. I’m President of IT Oxygen Enterprise and the social chair of the drumline at Michigan Tech. I’m a fourth-year Computer Network and System Administration major and over the years I’ve grown to enjoy the snow. I love waking up in the morning and seeing a fresh dusting everywhere I look. My favorite winter activity is skiing and that constant supply of fresh powder makes Mont Ripley one of the best places to ski north of The Mighty Mac. Winter Carnival is a celebration of that snow as well as all of the great feats students at Michigan Tech can accomplish with it during some of the most brutal months of the year. I think that as long as they use their head and eat some bread, watch out for their friends, and stay hydrated — that means water — anyone should be able to feel like royalty during Winter Carnival. If you agree, vote for me. I’d like to thank the Huskies Pep Band, the most progressive drumline in the Keweenaw, for sponsoring me in this competition.
Lights, sound, action! In a tradition that’s been going strong since 1946, Huskies competing for the coveted Winter Carnival trophy (and Stage Revue bragging rights) put their all into auditioning, rehearsing, and performing skits. Come join in the laughter and applause as they’re judged on acting quality, technical production, good taste, originality, theme, and entertainment value. Vote for the Audience Choice winner.
Stand-up comedian Aaron Kominos-Smith
$10 General Admission; no charge for Michigan Tech students
Thursday, February 6 at 7 p.m.
Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts
Aaron Kominos-Smith has appeared on Comedy Central’s Inside Amy Schumer, MTV, NextVR Network, and American Movie Classic. Audiences connect instantly with Aaron’s charming wit and energetic characters. His humor varies from observational thoughts on the mundane to articulated commentary about society sprinkled with a few dashes of wackiness. Simultaneously performing comedy and studying architecture in college, Aaron went on to work as a professional architect. After he realized that buildings take years to complete while a joke can instantly bring people joy, he made the switch from constructing buildings to constructing jokes.
$10 Advance, $15 At the Door; Students Free with ID
Friday, February 7 at 9 p.m.
Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts
Blue Key National Honor Society is an organization that strives for the goals of excellence in academics, development of leadership, and service to the community. Blue Key was established to organize and coordinate the Michigan Technological University Winter Carnival in a fair and equitable manner to serve the surrounding community. Overall, Blue Key sets standards for recognizing excellence in leadership in college activities and in scholarship.
Keep updated on student meetings, events, registration information, and deadlines related to participating in Winter Carnival by using Blue Key’s Google Calendar feeds:
Want to find your favorite organization or group's statue? View our interactive map or download the 2020 statue map that marks the locations of all of the month-long and All-Nighter statues, as well as the concession stands.
In order to accommodate Winter Carnival, parking lots 5, 9, and 27 will be available beginning at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5, free of charge, no permits required. Lot 11 will open at 4 p.m. on Friday, February 7. There will be free parking at all metered areas.
Michigan Tech Student Affairs has an important safety message. With so many activities and people, here are a few tips to make Winter Carnival safe and memorable.
The rules, important dates, and contact information for every event Winter Carnival event. This rule book is your organization's guide to participation in Winter Carnival.
An application is required for any organization wishing to set up a booth during All-Nighter. A $5 non-refundable fee, in the form of a check payable to Blue Key, is required with the submission of this application. All vendors must attend the Vending Safety meeting held prior to Winter Carnival.
Only registered Michigan Tech student organizations and campus departments can participate as vendors during Winter Carnival.
Organizations wishing to sell food other than baked goods or prepackaged products must be licensed to sell these items by the Western UP Health Department, or use the licensed on-campus dining services kitchen. Each organization is solely responsible for obtaining this license. Organizations violating any health department rules will not be able to distribute food during All-Nighter.
*denotes product donor
