Raider Royalty: ‘Rona style

Homecoming court crowned after parade

Ryah Hill

More stories from Ryah Hill

Rallying Raiders
September 1, 2021
Crowning+moment+%5C%5C+Senior+Jada+Hahs+is+crowned+as+the+senior+homecoming+princess+Oct.+7+at+the+coronation+ceremony+following+the+homecoming+parade.+Senior+Clayton+Ensley+was+crowned+senior+prince.+Due+to+an+outbreak+of+positive+COVID-19+cases+among+the+football+players%2C+the+homecoming+football+game+was+cancelled+for+the+first+time+ever.

photo credit: Abrianna Gilkey

Crowning moment \\ Senior Jada Hahs is crowned as the senior homecoming princess Oct. 7 at the coronation ceremony following the homecoming parade. Senior Clayton Ensley was crowned senior prince. Due to an outbreak of positive COVID-19 cases among the football players, the homecoming football game was cancelled for the first time ever.

No matter the limited amount of tickets, new location, masks, and no half-time celebration, nothing could stop the traditions of homecoming.

Due to the cancellation of the Friday night football game and new location of the parade, the crowning ceremony was moved to a new date and place. Following the homecoming parade Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Founders Park, the homecoming nominees, band, drill team and cheerleaders made their way to the Wylie Stadium for the coronation ceremony. 

To allow for social distancing, each nominee was given four tickets to invite guests to the event. The cheerleaders, Sapphires and drumline were also allowed to bring their parents to the homecoming coronation to watch them perform.

“It was different not seeing a full stadium,” junior Kaileigh Contreras said, “but I was very happy that we got the chance to still be on the field with people still supporting me.” 

After the nominees made it to the bottom of the field and lined up, with their masks on and socially distanced, the Sapphires kicked off the “pep rally ceremony” with a dance routine.

“It was so exciting finally getting to perform in front of an audience,” senior nominee and Sapphire Captain Brita Burns said. “We have been working and practicing since early August and have been wanting to show what we have been working so hard on.”

Following the performance, the freshman nominees made their way to the middle of the field, and winners Sofia Dean and Evan Autrey were announced by Assistant Principal Kris Cravens. They were crowned by Student Council officers, leadership class, and past senior Queen Jasmine Chukwu at the front of the football field. After they were crowned, they took their picture and made their way off the field so the ceremony could continue.

“It was really exciting hearing my name called, since I’m only a freshman,” princess Sofia Dean said.

After the freshman winners were announced, the drumline performed as the sophomore nominees lined up. The nominees made their way to the middle of the field, and sophomore winners Faith Seddig and Sean Taylor were crowned.

“I was super surprised after I was crowned because I definitely was not expecting to win,” Seddig said. “I loved knowing that I had a lot of people supporting me during this process as well,” Taylor said.

Shortly after the sophomores were crowned, the cheerleaders performed a routine as the junior nominees and student council prepared for the next crowning. Following cheer’s routine, juniors Marcus Harbert and Ryah Hill were announced as the prince and princess of the junior class.

“Getting to be a part of the court, and also help plan the week for student council, was a super unique experience,” junior princess Ryah Hill said. “On top of that, it made me feel grateful knowing that I had so much support.”

Finally, each senior nominee was announced one by one and escorted down the field by people of their choice. Following the introductions, seniors Jada Hahs and Clayton Ensley were crowned, photographed and interviewed for Friday’s virtual pep rally.

“It was so exciting and I was very honored considering all the other wonderful girls around me,” Hahs said. “Adding to that, I couldn’t believe it,” Ensley said. “It’s a feeling that can never be replicated.”