Williams & Hopkins DHS queen & king
The applause from those who stayed for Friday night's homecoming coronation echoed across VanMetre Field for senior Jaylyn Williams, who lost her mother to an unspeakable car accident on New Kathleen Mine Road earlier this year.
Jaylyn had been the sentimental favorite as voting was conducted by the staff and students at the Du Quoin High School Friday morning. At her side was senior Cole Hopkins, who was crowned king.
It was a coronation that began with a special presentation to retiring Debbie Mannino and Bitty Craig for 11 years of work with the Pep Club, which hosts Homecoming Week. The theme was "Disney." The coronation was followed by the dance on Saturday.
The night also included the announcement that the Junior Class "Finding Nemo" billboard won the parade competition. Sophomores were second, seniors third and freshmen fourth. The freshman class took pep rally honors.
The Homecoming court had 12 members.
The king candidates were Brock Bullar, Cole Hopkins, and Tucker Kuhnert. The queen candidates were Madeleine Cravens, Hannah Marek, and Jaylyn Williams. The freshman attendant was Hannah Kirby escorted by Trace Klein. The sophomore attendant was Olivia Cravens escorted by Charlie Gaines. The junior attendant was Grace Bailey escorted by Hunter Behm. The retiring king and queen are Spencer Kuhnert and Whitney Pierce.
This year's homecoming queen was Jaylyn Williams, the daughter of the late Tarsha Williams and Reginald Henry and granddaughter of Shirley Williams. Jaylyn plans to go to college and be a CNA like her mom was and to get her RN license after high school. Jaylyn's favorite Disney movie is Monsters INC. because "It's a good movie for kids to watch, plus, it gets her weak." If she could be any Disney character, she would be "The one-eyed monster because he's funny." The most important lesson Jaylyn has ever learned from a Disney movie is, "everyone has something to offer." Jaylyn doesn't really have a favorite part about homecoming because she is a first time candidate. Besides that, her favorite part would be the dance because she can dance and break it down... "don't believe me just watch!"
The homecoming king was Cole Hopkins, the son of Wendy and David Hopkins. Cole plans to be the "best bass fisherman in the world after high school." Cole's favorite Disney movie is High School Musical because, "Gabriella is hot." If he could be any Disney character, he would be the Beast because, "I mean I can look hot at one moment, then turn into a beast the next." The most important lesson Cole has ever learned from a Disney movie is, "Life doesn't always have a happy ending." His favorite part of Homecoming is dancing on the dance floor.