Homecoming kicked off with the crowning of our royalty here at Owatonna High School. OHS hosted its annual Coronation on Sept. 15 at 7:00 p.m. in the Wenger Performing Arts Center. This event was packed with many friends, family and faculty eagerly awaiting to hear who would be crowned this year’s homecoming king and queen.
Coronation not only marks the start of Homecoming week, but also marks the beginning of school spirit. Everyone comes together to celebrate OHS and make memories along the way.
Before the results were announced, the semifinalists were showcased as well. The semifinalists consisted of Bentley Arvig, Gavin Burmeister, Miles Grimmius, Jackson Kath, Mason Klecker and Wyatt Macy for king candidates. The queen candidates included Amelia Baldwin, Aliyanna Delarosa, Brooke Hagel, Ella Henriksen, Libby Jensen, Attley Klemmensen and Georgia Schrom.
Being part of the homecoming court is a special privilege, especially for the top five. King finalists included Ayoub Farah, Max Flemke, Logan Halverson, Will Halverson and Logan Risser. Queen finalists included Mia Armstrong, Gennevieve Froman, Anna Hilgendorf, Brynn Routh and Paige Thompson.
Last year’s Homecoming Queen, Aza Lewis, gave an inspirational video message to all of the royalty this year. Lewis told them to take in every moment of being part of this amazing experience, because it is a special honor to be chosen. She also reminded everyone listening to take in every moment of high school, because it goes by fast.
After weeks of waiting to hear who would be crowned this year’s homecoming king and queen, the results were finally revealed at the end of the ceremony. OHS crowned Flemke as Homecoming King and Armstrong as Homecoming Queen.
Flemke was excited and surprised to be crowned Homecoming King this year. He felt very honored to know that his peers voted for him and saw him as a leader within OHS. Being Homecoming King is a full-circle moment for him. Flemke said, “I always thought it was cool seeing the Homecoming King, you know, in the parade and… for kids to look at me and think like, well that’s cool, he’s the homecoming king… will be pretty cool.” Flemke is also involved in the NHS, Younglife, Big Brothers Big Sisters, track and football, where he serves as a captain this fall season.
Armstrong was overly expressive with gratitude at the coronation. Armstrong said, “I didn’t think it was gonna be me, and I just had a big smile on my face. I was super excited and very honored.” Royalty runs deep in the Armstrong family, as her brother was a top-five finalist and her mom was part of the top 12 during their high school years at OHS as well. Armstrong strives as a leader as she is one of the captains for the OHS Varsity Football Cheer Team, a leader in Thriving Minds, the dance captain of the OHS winter musical and Vice President of the concert choir. She is also involved in NHS, Link Crew, Big Brothers Big Sisters, YOLO, treble choir, OHS Carolers and dances competitively for UPDS.
To wrap up the Homecoming week festivities, the royalty was seen waving to the crowd in the Homecoming parade on Sept. 19, at 1:00 p.m., along with dancing the night away during the halftime show of the Homecoming football game on Sept. 19, at 7:00 p.m. as well.
