This year, five students have been nominated by the school’s staff to be on the Homecoming Court. Next Thursday, Sept. 25th, students will have an opportunity during their 3rd hour class to vote for this year’s Homecoming Queen. The queen will be crowned during halftime of the game next Friday. Here is a closer look at the five candidates:

Shirmara Anderson

Q: What does the homecoming nomination mean to you?
A:“The homecoming nomination means to me that my teachers and coaches have recognized my positive influence and involvement enough to nominate me.”
Q: What activities are you involved in, in and out of school?
A: “I am involved in track and field, orchestra, jazz orchestra, bowling, and Delta Gams.”
Q: What are your plans for after high school?
A:“ I plan to attend a college, preferably an HBCU, and I hope to major in either communications or business administration. I want to minor in psychology, so I can further my business. “
Q: What is one of your favorite high school memories?
A: “Probably going to the state meet with a small group from my track team with my coach because it was a really fun experience to see the diversity in the sport that I love to compete in.”

Taylor Jackson

Q: What does the homecoming nomination mean to you?
A: “The homecoming nomination is an honor because it shows that what I’m doing around the school isn’t going unnoticed, and that my teachers find me to be a good role model.”
Q: What activities are you involved in, in and out of school?
A: “In school I participate in Orchestra, varsity track, and cheerleading.”
Q: What are your plans for after high school?
A: “I plan on probably going to an HBCU. I might further my track career, and I plan to major in psychology and become a behavioral therapist.”
Q: What’s your favorite high school memory?
A: “My favorite high school memory is probably making it to State for track. I made it in three events so I was really proud of myself.”

Lauren Molenda

Q: What does the homecoming nomination mean to you?
A: “I’m really excited to be on the homecoming court because it really proves that all my hard work towards my extracurriculars and school work has really paid off. I’ve worked really hard for all the things I’ve accomplished, and to be recognized as a Homecoming queen candidate feels really nice.
Q: What extracurricular activities are you involved in, in and out of school?
A: “I’m the president of the Thespian Troupe, president of National Honors Society, an editor of the school newspaper, a representative for Indiana as a second-year Indiana state Thespian officer, and I was a member of the choral department for three years.”
Q: What are your plans after high school?
A: After high school I plan on going to either Ball State, Indiana State University, or Indiana University Bloomington to study English Language Arts Education or Elementary Education.
Q: What is one of your favorite high school memories?
A:: “One of my favorite high school memories would be from my freshman year, going to IndyFringe Fest, which is an acting festival. I was an understudy for that show, so I didn’t participate in the show, but it was really fun to bond with the people around me, and it was like the first time I really knew that theatre is what I wanted to be a part of.”

Merci Tan

Q: What does the homecoming nomination mean to you?
A: “I am really grateful for it, I and wasn’t really expecting it because to me I didn’t think I was that close to my teachers, or that my teachers didn’t think that much of me, so knowing that they thought I was good enough to be on the homecoming court means a lot.”
Q: What activities are you involved in, in and out of school?
A:“In school I am involved in Cross Country, National Honors Society, Thespian Troupe, and Orchestra. Outside of school, the International Thespian Society, and I also volunteer for my church. I also did track for two years in my freshman and sophomore years.”
Q: What are your plans for after high school?
A:“After highschool right now I am looking at IU Bloomington, I’m still looking for other schools, but right now that is my main school that I’m looking at because it is in the state, and I feel like I can definitely get some scholarships from there. I want to get a Business Major and maybe a minor in art.”
Q: What is one of your favorite high school memories?
A: “I have a lot, but I guess the main one I can think of is when I went on a state field trip with my Thespian Troupe to Franklin Highschool. We stayed overnight for two days in a hotel, we did our little activities, performed our pieces, and it was just a good time. I had a lot of good memories with the people in my troupe there.”

Devyn Walters

Q: What does the homecoming nomination mean to you?
A: “The homecoming nominations means to me that my teacher’s recognize my hard work. I’m not gonna to lie, I was pretty surprised when I got picked. So it’s very bittersweet that someone actually sees you working hard. It made me happy that I am being noticed and I really appreciate it. It’s a great opportunity.”
Q: What extracurricular activities are you involved in, in and out of school?
A: “In high school I am a varsity cheerleader for football, and basketball season. I’m also on the varsity track team, I’ve been on them all 4 years for both cheer and track. I previously did gymnastics for Merrillville high school (MGC team) for 3 years. And I am also in a charity called Jack And Jill Northwest Indiana Chapter, where we do non-profit activities, we do food drives, we go on walks…”
Q: What are your plans for after high school?
A: “My dream college is LSU. I would like to study anesthesiology, if everything goes as planned. I am also taking into consideration doing track or cheer.”
Q: What is one of your favorite high school memories?
A: “One of my favorite high school memories is probably my sophomore year prep rally. It just was a lot of school spirit. I feel like everyone actually came together and participated.”