Homecoming Royalty by Jillian Wilson
On October 3, 2008, Corvallis High School crowned yet another group of Homecoming Royalty. For one senior, it added another notch to the many accomplishments Whitney Henderson had made over the course of her high school career.
Henderson is a five-time state champion in track and field, a Defensive MVP in basketball, and has also made the Academic All-State list of athletes. She is now trying to decide where she wants to continue her education and athletic career. Henderson has received many offers from colleges and universities for track scholarships, but she says that she is trying to decide between Colorado State and Kansas State.
On her athletic career, Henderson said that she doesn’t think of herself as a champion but that “it’s nice to know I’ve established a name for myself and respect from the community.” Henderson said winning the relays in the 100-meter and 200-meter were the most fun and that it was awesome to win all of them. Winning Homecoming Queen gave Henderson something else to look back on and smile about.
The Homecoming pep assembly took place around 11 a.m. in the new high school gym and that is where they would announce the candidates for Homecoming Royalty to the high school and middle school. The pep assembly began with the national anthem and then school cheers. Henderson was introduced as a member of the volleyball team along with her sister, Angi during the sports portion of the assembly. Towards the end, all of the Homecoming candidates were announced by grade. Henderson was introduced with her date, Kyle Powers and as they walked around the gym, a blurb about each candidate was read. The announcement of the winners would not be until the halftime show at the football game later that night.
Afterwards, Henderson returned to class for the rest of the afternoon. When school was let out, instead of going home, Henderson and her friends hung out in the parking lot by the gym, waiting for the parade to start at 5 p.m. Henderson, along with the rest of the royalty court sat on a special float for the parade as they drove down Main Street in Corvallis. Although the parade only lasted about 20 minutes, everyone in the town lined the streets and supported the high school.
Henderson attended the fundraising barbeque at the football field with two of her friends, Brandy Thomas and Anna Aeolphson after the parade, which is held every year before the game. Just before halftime at the football game, Henderson changed into her dress and met up with the rest of the candidates at the end of the track. The candidates were walked out in front of the crowd where the winners were announced.
“The only thing I wish had been different about that night is that it could have been warmer,” Henderson said. “I wouldn’t have really cared if I had lost, but it was fun winning.”
Henderson finished off the night by attending the Homecoming dance where she danced with her date and Homecoming King, Kyle Powers, in the traditional Spotlight Dance.
As Henderson finishes out her senior year and looks back on high school, she said this last year has been the most memorable and fun. When looking into the future, Henderson hopes to establish a career in Political Science and achieve something big in track, maybe even attend the Olympic Trials.
“I am very mature for my age and very competitive. I definitely have set goals and standards for myself,” Henderson said of describing the kind of person she is.