By Sage Tippie
Tension mounted in the crisp evening air last night during halftime of the homecoming football game against Silverado as the royal couples stood on the sidelines of the football field awaiting the announcement of who would be crowned this year’s homecoming king and queen. The honors went to seniors Edwin Hanna, a member of the marching band, and Lexi Buttars, varsity cheerleader and member of the track team.
“Winning during my senior year was honestly an amazing experience. The 10 of us in court had such a blast during rehearsals, and it really paid off in the end. I’m very happy I won senior year as it is such a great way to end my high school career. Being apart of something like this made me realize that anyone can be capable of anything-even a band nerd like me,” Hanna said.
The other members of senior homecoming court included Bailey Goto, Nolan Phan, Max Abe, and Jake McLean in running for homecoming king and Bonnie Stewart, Bianca Weyers, Sydney McDermott, and Haley Tyrell in running for homecoming queen.
“It was really an amazing experience, I loved working with all the other court members for the dance and lunchtime activities. My favorite part of being on homecoming court would have to be the late night dance practices we had for the assembly. Those were really fun, and I felt like we got to know each other better. We didn’t really see each other as “rivals” for a spot as king/queen; we were all just friends who wanted to have fun being on senior court,” Goto said.
At the homecoming assembly, the titles of prince and princess went to juniors Dillon Stewart and Raegan Raimer, the duke and duchess were sophomores Wilson Scow and Claire Rawlins, and freshmen Cody Allen and Samantha Haycox were crowned as lord and lady. At halftime, underclass royalty, along with the senior court, rode in cars for the annual homecoming parade on the track.
Final voting for senior court opened to the student body beginning on Oct. 18, and final voting for underclassmen opened on Oct. 9. In the week leading up to homecoming, senior court members, adorned in royalty sashes, sold tickets for the bash during lunch, participated in spirit days, and performed in the homecoming assembly to get Cougs excited for the homecoming game and bash.
“Winning was awesome, but the overall experience was a dream. The friends I met and experiences I went through will be with me for a lifetime. That night was truly unforgettable. I am honored and humbled,” Buttars said.
