This year’s homecoming court compares to no other in
Southfield High School’s history. Fourteen females ran for the crown. The race was a strong competition between popularity, personality and spirit.
“I’ve been here nine years, and that is the most I’ve ever seen running for queen,” said the late Athletic Director Hank Moulder.
All 14 hopefuls used different strategies to capture student votes.
Cookies shaped into red and pink hearts on sticks imprinted with “vote for Tanisha” weren’t enough for Tanisha Strong . She went as far as T- shirts with her face on them and flower pins with her picture framed. Strong says she spent approximately $70 on her campaign.
Nakia Hunter rivaled with her opponents by taping posters to the walls, which soon were in the halls sticking to the floor. She attracted a lot of voters by passing out Snickers, Reese cups, Rice Krispy treats, and more goodies labeled “Vote Nakia for queen”. Hunter stretched her arms even broader for the title by crowning herself with inside-out Burger King crowns.
Competing with fervent spirit, Jessica Wilson started her own fashion trend. Wilson wore posters around her body with pictures of herself. They said, “Do the right thing – vote Jessica Wilson IV queen” in colorful designs. Like other queen wannabes, she bribed her voters with assorted candy, as she gave them her campaign stickers to wear.
Lakeitha Hill was in a league of her own. She plastered walls throughout the school with nine homemade posters asking for student votes. She made sure that the students grabbed at least one glimpse of her the week of voting.
Tajerra Brown used her baby picture on posters to charm the voters, along with stickers and candy.
“Twice the woman, twice the physique”, shimmering in glitter was Shari Holly’s motto for the contest.
Melany Troy passed out red and black buttons with her face on them and made professional looking posters with a variety of computer-generated slogans.
Jennifer Montgomery used large laminated posters of herself in a regal white gown to advance her cause.
“Nakia and Elise are my biggest competition; we all have the same level of popularity,” said Angelita Pierce who used her friendliness and loyalty to compete.
Along with Pierce, Alyna Warr, Lauren Turner, Krishana Clark and Jaime Jenkins took their hats off and let their popularity run the contest.
But in the end, it was Elise Webb’s glittering posters, sprinkled cupcakes and paper necklaces that won the students’ eye. “I was so happy and cried a little bit. I felt rewarded after all of the campaigning,” said the homecoming queen.Webb’s number one supporter, senior Jade Williams said, “I felt confident that she was going to win all along.”
Staff writer Ashley Sangster contributed to this report.