A tradition almost as old as the school itself, Homecoming at West Linn High School has been the talk around the school for quite some time. From spirit days, to the assembly, to the football game, to the dance, it’s a time where students are able to participate in a multitude of events. Every year, it’s always something different, and it’s exciting to see what the Associated Student Body does each time. It was a blast being able to participate in the Homecoming events in my senior year.

Before the Homecoming week started, I was eating lunch when I got a message from my friend Nicholas Hull, senior, saying he had nominated me for Homecoming Court. I played it off as a joke. Time passed, and I had that idea of being on the court looming in the back of my mind. What if it actually happened? 

About a week went by before I got the email: 

“Congratulations, you have been chosen as one of your grade level representatives on Homecoming Court. Please keep this a secret until Thursday.”

I was shocked. I didn’t know what to expect or what to do. I wanted to tell someone, but I couldn’t. It wouldn’t be until the Homecoming Assembly during Life class that people would find out.

As time went on I was getting more and more nervous. By Thursday, the fear being in front of everyone was really hitting me hard. I wasn’t mentally ready to be brought out in front of most of the school. The day came, and I was sitting in my 5th period class, anticipating the moment when I’d have to leave class early to wait at the football field.

When 9:30 a.m. hit, I left class and made my way to the field where I’d be for the next 45 minutes before being brought out in a car in front of the student section. After making it to the field, each senior candidate had to give a speech on why students should vote for them to win as Homecoming royals.

Being slowly showcased in the car was a weird yet satisfying experience. What definitely wasn’t a good experience was speaking in front of a crowd of students on why they should vote for me. The nerves were affecting me, especially during my speech, where I wasn’t sure what to say. 

The next day was the Homecoming football game. An exciting game turned out to be a moment I dreaded, because that’d be the moment I would find out if I had won or not.

Halftime came, and I walked down to the track with my mom. When I was called, I almost couldn’t move. I was overwhelmed at the moment. I wanted to go up there with my mom, but I didn’t want to be in front of everyone.

When they announced the winner, I was mostly relieved. I was happy not to win. I didn’t want all the attention put onto me. But ultimately, I felt like I let people down. There were a lot of people cheering for me and wanting me to be crowned and I felt that by not winning, I had done something wrong. But I was just happy to be there.

The following night was the Homecoming dance. Despite going alone, I was able to find multiple friends and even help lead a group dance to the “Cupid Shuffle” with students also on the Homecoming Court.

I’m fortunate and thankful that people wanted me to be one of six students to represent the senior grade on Homecoming Court. As my final Homecoming week goes by, I definitely will look back at this and see this as one of my best memories from senior year.