It’s about time! As we enter the month of October, Homecoming is the main topic. As we know, Homecoming is about dresses, mums and football, but we must also think about royalty: the Homecoming court.
You might be wondering what it means to run as a homecoming court. Running for homecoming court is campaigning and convincing your fellow classmates why you deserve to win. Now let’s talk about some of our 2024 court!
Freshman
Shawna Morn
Shawna Morn was inspired to run because someone told her to do it.
“I have to offer an amazing representative of a Judson High School freshman,” said Morn.
To her, running means being kind and representing Judson High School. Morn’s strategy this year was being kind as well as passing out candy.
”My favorite part about Homecoming is having fun with my boyfriend and my friends,” stated Morn.
Sophomores
Peyton Bayne
“What inspired me to run was I saw this as a way to spread God’s word,” stated Peyton Bayne.
In the long run, Bayne is just hoping to help people turn to God and strengthen their relationship with him. To her, running means that she will be happy if even one person downloads the Bible app or decides to pray for the first time, “Then all the work I’m putting in for campaigning is worth it to me,” added Bayne.
For campaigning, Bayne decided to give out Jesus bracelets and sweet treats with
Bible verses. Lastly, her favorite parts about Homecoming are spirit week and mums, because she loves dressing up.
Kayla Leakes
Kayla Leakes was inspired to run because she wanted to become more involved in school spirit as well as be more social. “I am an FCA officer, I run track and I’m in the Student Council. I want to simply spread school pride and rocket pride,” said Leakes.
To her, running meant she would be able to put herself out there and make more friends and connections.
“Some campaign strategies I have used are snacks and treats, online videos and posters,” stated Kayla.
Her favorite part about Homecoming is dressing up and hanging out with friends.
Jayla Turner
Jayla Turner was inspired to run because she wanted to be able to represent her team and be a part of Judson High School activities.
“I have a great personality, friendliness and kindness to offer.”
To her, running means being able to put smiles on others faces and overall having fun with what you’re able to give. For her campaigning this year, she chose to use her knowledge of things her schoolmates like to do, such as TikToks and creating posters to encourage people to vote for her.
Mason Haygood
“I want to run to see if I can actually win,” said Mason Haygood.
He feels as if he has a lot to offer. For example, he likes to have fun and is involved in a lot of after school activities, meaning he likes to support his school.
“Running to me means I can see who really has my back and who I can really trust,” explained Haygood.
The strategy he’s using is food, and he enjoys it when he gets feedback on his treats.
“My favorite part about Homecoming is everybody coming up to me and asking about it. I just love to see it,” told Haygood.
Brandon Jones
What inspired Brandon Jones to run was the thrill and rush it gives him, and the fact that he needs to market himself to gain votes. Jones believes he offers lots of fun and many laughs.
“To be honest, it really is a right of passage for me,” explained Jones.
His strategy for campaigning is connecting to young voters to try and win their vote. His favorite part of Homecoming is the dance because it tends to bring people closer together.
Jayden Ruiz
Jayden Ruiz was inspired to run because he wanted to see what it would feel like to run and promote himself, as well as have bragging rights.
“I can offer my personality. I’m very outgoing and up for anything. I’m super friendly and ready to speak up. But I’ll always offer food to help sway a vote,” explained Ruiz.
To him, running means showing who he truly is and what he offers. This year for strategizing, Ruiz used things such as flyers, posters, food and sunglasses.
“My favorite part of Homecoming is how it’s open to everyone in every grade and it brings people together. It’s a fun experience that you get to share with your friends and classmates,” said Ruiz.
Juniors
Allison Gudino
What inspired Allison Gudino to run for Homecoming princess was the little girl in her. “Just dressing up and getting a cute little crown makes my heart jump. This is something I’ve been so excited for coming into high school and having a chance to be a part of it is amazing,” said Allison Gudino.
She said that she has lots of school spirit and energy to offer to the Homecoming court. “You will never see me not happy or not dressing up for spirit days!”
To her, running means school spirit, personal growth and a fun experience that gives her the opportunity to show school spirit like never before. Gudino is using online posters and ones she has painted with sweet treats. “My favorite part of Homecoming is definitely all of the cool spirit days, as well as the actual football game and dance. Everything about Homecoming just brings me so much joy and spirit!” explained Gudino.
Ja’Corey Wright
“I wanted to run for junior prince because I wanted to show that I’m dedicated to the school spirit, and [it’s] a great way to get involved and show my commitment to make the school a better place,” stated Ja’Corey Wright.
Wright believes he has lots to offer, like new ideas, great energy, as well as a unique viewpoint that can help create interesting events for our school. To him, running means he gets to show off his leadership skills and dedication for our school.
“The strategies I used were social media, posters, flyers and personal connections,” explained Wright.
“My favorite part[s] about Homecoming [are] the community, how people are campaigning very well and the school spirit,” said Wright.
Seniors
Jazzlynn Moreno
What inspired Jazzlynn Moreno to run was the chance to show off her school spirit. She believes she offers kindness and understanding in every situation thrown at her. “Running to me means something bigger than just a crown. It means my little self watching girls get crowned, knowing I wanted to be in their heels one day,” explained Moreno.
This year for campaigning, Moreno used bigger posters and not just pretty pictures, but pictures that define her and show her doing things she loves, like softball.
“My favorite part of Homecoming is definitely the mums and football game, especially the band. They are so awesome!”
Stephan Cook
“At first, I didn’t want to run. Since I won last year, I wanted to give someone else a chance to win. But then I remembered that this is my senior year, and that I wouldn’t have another chance to do this. I also wanted to actually run against someone this year since I won by ‘default’ last year,” Cook said.
“I think that people should vote for me because I will carry the crown with pride. Because of my involvement in many other extracurriculars, I have a familiar face that others can count on to represent the school well,” stated Cook.
Running for court to him means more than giving himself a platform; it means encouraging others to speak up for themselves and giving them a voice. For campaigning this year, Cook decided to pass out banana bread, as well as hang up posters and create videos to boost his audience.
“My favorite part of homecoming would probably have to be ‘Flood the Halls.’ I know that the Student Council puts in a lot of effort, time and dedication in[to] making the school appealing and more interactive for the student body, and I love that I can witness that tradition yearly,” explained Cook.
Kayla Riles
“This year being my senior year is what inspired me to run, I want to do all the side quests I did last year,” said Kayla Riles.
Riles believes she is very involved this year, being a student council officer, on the varsity basketball team, as well as running StuCo social media. Also, she is very passionate about school spirit and Homecoming itself.
“I definitely aimed to make people laugh and smile when campaigning this year. I also made sure to give out sweets that I thought everyone would like,” told Riles.
“My favorite part of Homecoming is definitely the football game. I love making my spirit jeans and wearing my mum!“ explained Riles.
Kamryn Campbell
For Kamryn Campbell, running for homecoming was a little bit of a last minute plan. The idea was brought to him and he decided overnight to run, with less than a day to fill out the application.
Campbell believes the most he has to offer is being a good friend.
“Running for Homecoming king to me is more than just the title. To me, it means I get a chance to show more of my school spirit, considering how much I’ve lacked it in the last three years. It also gives me somewhat of a chance to be a role model and represent Judson High. And who wouldn’t want to be crowned king?” stated Campbell.
For campaigning this year, Campbell had many ideas but said he struggled to actually bring them to life. He has plans for the last week and is hoping for the best.
“My favorite things about homecoming would probably have to be spirit week, the pep rally and the football game. [I] also [like] seeing everyone on the homecoming court’s campaign ideas and creativity,” exclaimed Campbell.
Homecoming voting takes place Oct. 22, 2024 in the cafeteria. Make sure to cast your vote on who you think deserves the title the most.
Disclaimer: Some candidates were not interviewed due to scheduling conflicts.