The marching band opened up for the homecoming court at halftime of the varsity football game. The girls walked on the field, accompanied by one of their family members or friends. The freshmen were announced first, followed by sophomores and juniors. The band stopped playing when the seniors were announced. When the announcer declared that Robbins was the Homecoming Queen, the crowd went crazy. She was accompanied on the field by her father.
The Homecoming Queen from 2012, Emma Schmid, crowned Robbins while wearing her Homecoming Queen sash and crown. Robbins said, “I’m very excited and thankful to win Homecoming Queen this year. It is such an honor for me and I appreciate anyone who voted for me. I've never been on court before, and was shocked to even be elected, so winning was an even bigger shock to me! I am just very thankful and appreciative for everything.”
Robbins said, “I am loving my senior year so far. It's been a lot of fun with my friends, yet [it's] crazy to think I will graduate in a couple of months. I'm trying to enjoy every minute of it that I can.” Robbins is one of five seniors on the varsity volleyball team this year.
Kacie Chamberlain and Chase Underhill were also honored at the football game. Their parents walked out on the field. Underhill had a cowboy hat dedicated to him and Chamberlain's family received flowers.
Joseph Piscitelli was escorted on the field by his mother Debbie Piscitelli. Bailey Smith, OHS writing teacher Brooke Smith’s daughter, assisted with the crowning of Mr. Panther. She was escorted onto the field by last year’s homecoming queen, Emma Schmid. Piscitelli said, “I am very grateful that the school voted for me and I am very honored… I never thought that I would win!”
The entire senior class voted for Mr. Panther. Seniors were given a ballot on which they would handwrite the first and last name of the person they wanted to be Mr. Panther. The name with the most votes won the title.
Other candidates that were nominated for Mr. Panther Court included Jeffrey Campbell, Matthew Crabtree, Hunter Huffman, Matthew McLaughlin, Patrick Pettiford, Tyler Reitano, Mason Shuler, Caleb Tolin, and Jordan Toney.
The Orange High School Panthers beat the Northern Vance Vikings on their home turf Friday, September 21. It was the Homecoming game for the Panthers and they led the team to victory by a dominating winning 48-7. OHS students showed their pride by wearing orange and black and cheering on the team.
At the beginning of the game, a moment of silence was held for senior Desean Motley's girlfriend, a student at Middle College High School at DurhamTech, who passed away after being involved in a car crash the night before. Motley told another newspaper that he was playing for her and representing her on the field.
The Panthers played so well that they barely let the Vikings score. During the first half of the game the score was tied, but later junior Patrick Pettiford put the Panthers back on top with the help of sophomore Juan Torres.
During halftime, the Homecoming Court nominees came out onto the field and the announcer proclaimed the 2012 Homecoming Queen, Emma Schmid. She was crowned by Anna Frederick, last year's homecoming queen.
Orange had a strong lead for the rest of the game. The crowd cheered and was overly excited as the Panthers dominated the field almost the entire time. The Panthers officially won the game, making their school proud.
Members of the Court are as followed:
Freshman - Aisha Mayo, Jada Whitted
Sophomores - Chesnie Boyce, Shakiya Jones, Tyler Woods
Juniors - Kacie Chamberlain, Nycol Lyons, Natalia Phillips
Prince and Princess: Vanessa Roberts escorted by Christopher Blacknell
Seniors - Brooke Copeland, Chasity Hayes, Emma Schmid, Grace Huskins, Indiana Reid-Shaw, Jamie Lea, Jordan Sneed, Karla Lozano, K'Lin Bradsher, MJ Bumgarner, Sonja Colson, Tyressa Smith
Before the game, Den Echoes met up with some members of the Homecoming Court to see how the girls were feeling. Most of them were nervous even though they weren’t seniors up for the winning spot. Kacie Chamberlain, a junior said, “It makes me feel proud that my junior classmates voted for me.”
Senior Emma Schmid said, “I would be really excited if I won Homecoming Queen, to know that enough people voted for me.”
Underclassman Tyler Woods, sophomore, said, “I’m happy and surprised that I’m in the homecoming court, I just hope that I don’t trip and fall on my face.” Luckily, that didn't happen and the evening went smoothly for all involved.
When asked about one of the two freshman, Aisha Mayo, said, “Being new to the school this year I am happy that my classmates voted for me, and that I get to be a part of the homecoming court this year!”
September 21, during halftime, the long awaited Homecoming Queen was named. Emma Schmid, a senior, ended up taking the crown. The crowd went crazy as they called her name and she looked very excited about the win.When Schmid was asked about her win she replied, “I was shocked!” She also said she was surprised.
If someone else could have won she would've guessed Chasity Hayes. Schmid wasn’t really sure why she had won but she was very honored that she did. At Orange High School she is involved with swim team and a part of the Honors Technical Society. After high school,her plans include going to the UNC- Wilmington. Although shy at times she has a very bubbly personality.
To win Homecoming Queen, every grade votes for the girl they want to be nominated in their own grade. Then, later, all grade levels vote for the senior they want to win. Only a senior can win Homecoming Queen. Schmid was against some very tough competitors such as Chastity Hayes, MJ Bumgarner, Grace Huskins, and Indiana Reid-Shaw.
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