Fit Crown for the
Winter
Royalty
Shocked was the word, seniors Cianna Graves and Cesar Esparza used to describe how they felt after being nominated King and Queen of Courts “It was very exciting, but I thought it was also a little overwhelming because there were a bunch of people around me putting the crown and cape on me,” Graves said. The feeling of being crowned is one that many teenagers want to feel and for certain individuals, it represents the payoff of countless sacrifices and unwavering commitment. “I do a lot of unseen things around the school. Not a lot of people want to take time out of their day to go to sporting events and take pictures. I feel like I’ve contributed a lot more than people expect,” Esparza said. Many of the candidates are individuals who are involved with the school in many ways whether that’s taking pictures or being in a sport.
“The day after the crowning I had a home wrestling meet so I had to get ready for the dance really quick so that I could take pictures and make it to the dance on time with all my friends,” Graves said. Being chosen to be on the court with your friends and people you have grown up and been with for years is a very special feeling. “I didn’t really have any expectations to be on the court, but actually being on the court was a very exciting feeling especially because I was able to do things with the people that I’ve gone through four years of high school with,” Esparza said.
Showing off their Dress to Impress outfit seniors Caleb Franke and Fiona Stevenson encourage the crowd to cheer for Shelli Ships, para-professional, as she walks out. Photo by Nick Prater
After being crowned King and Queen of Courts seniors Cesar Esparza and Cianna Graves came together at half court Photo by Nick Prater
A Royal Crowning Celebration
Students gathered in the school gymnasium on Friday, Jan. 9, to celebrate the crowning for Winter Royalty. An event of 10 senior candidates that were voted on by the student body. Aubrey Hamilton, Caleb Franke, Cayden Lindsay, Cesar Esparza, Cianna Graves, Ella Halseth, Fiona Stevenson, Leila Marunsenko, Mikey Lilly and Quincy Hamm. Throughout the week of Jan. 5 the candidates had the opportunity to participate in picture taking, eating at the Big Biscuit and visiting elementary schools. Prior to the Winter Royalty game the court visited the elementary schools where they participated in many activities that took them back to their own childhoods. “Having the opportunity to go to the elementary schools was fun. We got to go to recess, go to the gym and play games with the kids,” senior Aubrey Hamilton said. After a day out of school the candidates came back to play the teacher vs candidate games in the pep rally where they played Dress to Impress. “My teacher was Ms. Shelli. Our plan was to pick all pink stuff. The pink light up hat was something I wanted to grab first. After the time was up we were really impressed with our fashion choices,” Franke said. “Even though
we got second place we were still really happy and impressed about it. At first I thought dress to impress was not going to be fun, but in the end, it was really enjoyable.” For many, being chosen as Winter Royalty represented school spirit and the opportunity to represent their classmates “Throughout my time at the school I feel like all my peers have helped shape me into who I am. I feel like they really pushed me to become better,” Esparza said. A Winter Royalty nomination brings more than recognition, it brings a wave of emotions that many students never expect. “When I heard my name on the intercom I was happy, but I didn’t really care if I won. I’m just happy I was nominated,” Lindsay said After voting many of the candidates were shocked to hear that they were nominated by the student body. “I did not at all expect to be nominated,” Halseth said. Many of the other candidates were feeling the same way. “I did not expect to be nominated, I was so surprised,” Marusenko said. When nominations for Winter Royalty were announced, many candidates began to reflect on what the title would mean to them, even if the outcome didn’t go as hoped.
“I think it’d be pretty cool, my cousin AJ won Homecoming King so I think it’d be cool if I won Winter Formal King. I think I would rock that crown pretty well,” Lilly said. For many people it would mean not as a crown, but as a chance to represent their clubs with pride. “I feel like I represent the Band, the choir, and the drama kids. So being the representation for them means a lot,” Stevenson said. For some kids the idea of winning Winter Royalty brought up strong emotions. “It’d be pretty cool, I would probably cry on the court,” Hamm said.
Seniors Justin Goodman and Maggie Forshee introduce the candidates at the pep rally. Photo by Nick Prater
Seniors Cesar Esparza and Leila Marunsenko show off Ziwaun White, S, outfit at the pep rally during the Dress to Impress game. Photo by Nick Prater
Senior King and Queen of Courts Candidates- Caleb Franke, Fiona Stevenson, Mikey Lilly, Cianna Graves, Cesar Esparza, Leila Marunsenko, Ella Halseth, Quincy Hamm, Aubrey Hamilton, and Cayden Lindsay lined up for the candidate announcement picture at the Ramada Inn. Photo by Wyatt Lindecrantz
8 | Winter Royalty Written and designed by Jaiden Labrador and Caylee Cooper
Winter Royalty | 9
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