By Ally O’Reilly, Managing Editor
Fifty-six high-heels, 28 dresses, 14 couples, four grade levels and two titles are all things that go into making one of the most spirited nights at Reynolds: homecoming.
In the past, Reynolds seniors have selected 10 senior girls to be part of the homecoming court. The girls pick an escort and decide which dress and shoes to wear for the homecoming pep rally, and which dress and shoes to wear for the homecoming football game, then the couples get recognized at the pep rally and the seniors vote again for who will be crowned Homecoming Queen at the football game.
This year, things are a bit different. Two freshmen, two sophomores, four juniors and six seniors have been voted to be part of the homecoming court. And, along with the senior Homecoming Queen, a new title has been introduced: Queen of Compassion.
“Each girl has to choose a charity that is important to them and raise as much money as possible,” said Reynolds dance teacher Caitie Reece, who is one of the homecoming coordinators this year. “The person who raises the most money is going to be crowned Queen of Compassion. That is completely new (to Reynolds’ tradition) and that can be from any grade level.”
The new title has been widely embraced by the court members, not only because it gives them another chance for recognition, but also because it’s a surefire way to help the community.
“I think that the Queen of Compassion will motivate the people on court to raise more money for their charity, which is always a good thing,” senior court member Hannah Semke said.
Adding court members from all grade levels is also new to RJR homecoming festivities. The goal of doing that is to get everybody at Reynolds excited for the event.
“I think that the changes to homecoming court are meant to be positive, and I think it makes people from all grades more interested in homecoming,” sophomore court member Sydney Smith said. “However, I do think the seniors may be upset with the changes because this was finally their year to be the most important. I understand their frustration, but I do think that being on homecoming court is fun for everybody.”
With all of these changes, homecoming brings great stress and excitement for even more students.
“(I’m nervous about) walking in heels,” junior court member Rachel Kiger said with a laugh. “But, otherwise I’m excited!”
Having to walk in front of the Reynolds student body at the homecoming pep rally and all the fans at the the homecoming football game may be nerve-wracking, but it also will be a memorable experience for both the court members and their escorts.
“I am in general a pretty shy person and I sometimes don’t like bringing attention to myself, but I think that doing homecoming court will help me get over my shyness,” Smith said.
All of the hard work going into making homecoming great will finally be shown on Friday, Oct. 10, at the pep rally, tailgate and football game against West Forsyth at Deaton-Thompson Stadium.
“I hope (this year’s homecoming changes) bring a sense of community to the school and gets everybody more involved, and brings more excitement to homecoming,” Reece said. “And hopefully it will bring more people out to the tailgate and the football game just so they can see everybody dressed up in their formal, because the court really does put a lot into it. We do have a few new surprises … as far as how the pep rally will be, all of that will look different this year, and I think it will be a lot more exciting.”
Pep rally Friday schedule!
- 1B 8:55-10:10
- 2B 10:15-11:30
- 3B 11:35-1:30
- 1st lunch 11:30-12
- 2nd 12:15-12:45
- 3rd 1-1:30
- 4B 1:35-2:50
- Pep Rally 3-3:40