Emmaline Leuschner

Standing on the turf, with the stadium lights shining onto the field, the crowd erupted as the names “Mika Zimmerman” and “Nate Henderson” were announced as the 2023 Homecoming royalty.

Zimmerman said she was surprised when her name was called, as she never expected to be crowned queen.

“I was the most surprised I think I have ever been if I’m being honest,” Zimmerman said. “There was no thought in my mind that was telling me I would have won.”

Henderson said he did not even hear his name said over the sound of everyone cheering for Zimmerman.

“I couldn’t hear my name, and so Mika hears my name, and she was grabbing onto me, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, was it me?’” Henderson said. “I wasn’t sure, and it was all kind of surreal.”

Henderson said that he thought that, with the selection of candidates, seniors Braxton Banker, Kyzer Fox, Cyrus Johnson and Edwin Muller, he would not be crowned king.

“I didn’t think I was really going to win just because of who all the candidates were, but I was very happy that I did win,” Henderson said.

Zimmerman said she thought that everyone had a chance at being crowned queen and that she was thrilled to be on court with the rest of the queen candidates, who included seniors Brynn Kinderknecht, Hailey Klein, Arely Maldonado and Lilian McGrath.

“I think that everyone on the court this year were way beyond deserving of it, and I loved being able to spend the week with all the girls,” Zimmerman said.